Chapter 26: Roots of Resilience

The forest, though quiet, was never truly still. The wind whispered through the trees, carrying the faint scent of earth and blooming flowers, and the sun stretched long fingers of light through the canopy. Life returned slowly, the scars of the Hollow fading but not forgotten. Lucien stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching the pack spar. The sound of fists colliding with flesh, the scrape of boots against dirt, filled the air. It was a familiar rhythm now — not born of desperation but of discipline. They were learning how to live again. Serena circled Xander in the center of the ring, her chest heaving, strands of hair sticking to her face. She grinned, feral and sharp, wiping sweat from her brow with the back of her hand. “Come on,” she taunted, her stance loose but ready. “I thought you were fast.” Xander snorted, lunging at her, but Serena twisted, slamming her elbow into his ribs before sweeping his legs out from under him. He hit the ground with a grunt, dust bi