Chapter 49

VALERIA’S POV The forest was eerily silent as we moved, each step calculated, each breath measured. The plan was set in motion, and my heart pounded with both fear and determination. I didn’t tell anyone outside Elijah, Tony, and Damien about the real plan—about my intention to get caught. It had to look real. There could be no slip-ups. The air was thick with tension as we navigated the shadows, avoiding the patrolling warriors of the Shadow Fang pack. My eyes scanned every inch of the terrain, my ears attuned to the faintest sound. This wasn’t just a hunt for us. For them, it was survival. For me, it was the beginning of the end of Dimitri’s reign. We moved silently, gathering herbs and trapping two rabbits, careful not to leave a trail—except for the subtle traces of my scent I left behind, making it look as though I was careless. Every move was deliberate, every step bringing me closer to their lair. As we neared the lake, I signalled the others to stay behind. “No matter what happ