Emerald sat up after a while and started packing her belongings. The weight of Ares' cryptic words still pressed against her chest, but she refused to let fear paralyse her.
She had made her decision: she needed to get home, back to her pack where she belonged.
She carried her bag to the car waiting in the courtyard, the cool night air biting at her skin. The pack walls seemed to watch her every move, holding secrets she wasn't sure she wanted to uncover.
"Going somewhere?" Kieran's voice cut through the silence.
Emerald turned to find him approaching with a concerned expression. "I'm leaving tonight. I should reach my pack by morning if I leave now."
"I thought you said you'd be leaving tomorrow."
"Yeah, I had a change of mind."
"Emerald, it's not safe to travel these roads at night," Kieran said, stepping closer. "The recent conflicts have left rogues and displaced wolves scattered throughout the territory. Wait until morning."
