Chapter 24: The Price of Peace

The forest was quiet, but peace had a cost. Lucien sat at the edge of the training grounds, watching the pack move through their drills. The sound of feet pounding against dirt, the sharp clash of wood against wood, filled the air — a reminder that survival wasn’t guaranteed. They trained harder now. Because they knew what it meant to bleed. Serena stood in the center of the group, barking orders, her hair tied back, sweat glistening on her skin. She moved like fire, her body fluid and sharp, sparring with each wolf who stepped forward without a hint of hesitation. Lucien’s chest tightened. She was relentless. Because she still didn’t trust the quiet. “Again!” Serena shouted, flipping one of the younger wolves onto his back with a hard thud. “If you can’t defend against me, you won’t survive another threat.” The wolf groaned, rubbing his ribs, but he scrambled to his feet and reset his stance. Lucien wiped his face, exhaling slowly. His body was still healing, but the scars