{"An alpha wolf leads by example, not by force."}
I felt it before I saw it, and the subtle shift in the mountain air was cooler, thinner, touched with the faintest hint of light creeping through cracks no eye could see. I opened my eyes to the sound of soft breathing and the low crackle of the protective wards still holding around us. My blade rested by my side, undisturbed. Dante sat a few feet away, silent, alert. He caught my eye and gave a small nod. All clear.
Behind us, the others were stirring and Rita sat up first, stretching with a low groan, followed by Flora who leaned against her shoulder, blinking the sleep from her eyes. Rolan lay still for a moment longer, then rose like a beast waking from hibernation. Qadira, curled in a patch of warmth near Sierra, exhaled deeply as she stood graceful even in exhaustion.
Rou's eyes were already open. He had not slept. Just dozed in that half-state of warriors too tired to rest and too trained not to.
