CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY - TREACHEROUS TERRAIN

Anna found herself nestled against Erik's chest, his strong arms wrapped protectively around her. Despite the hard ground and the cold seeping through her sleeping bag, she felt safe and content. Just before she drifted off to sleep, Anna heard Arryk's gruff voice, softened by the darkness. "I've missed you, Freya," he whispered. "And I you, old wolf," came Freya's quiet reply. Anna smiled to herself, feeling the threads of their shared stories weaving them all closer together. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew they would face them as a united front. The next morning dawned clear and bright, the storm having blown itself out during the night. As they emerged from the cave, Anna gasped at the transformed landscape. The fresh snow glittered like diamonds in the sunlight, and the air was so crisp and clear it almost hurt to breathe. "It's beautiful," she whispered, awestruck. Erik nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Beautiful, but deadly. We need to be extra careful today