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Quiet movement filled the Stormclaw encampment. Shadows danced in the torchlight as fighters honed their weapons, muttering plans, getting ready for the conflict that would determine Thornwood's fate. Tension permeated the air, the kind that clung to the bones and would not go away.

In the middle of it all, Thalia looked out over the men and women who had pledged their allegiance to this cause. The weight of what was ahead was felt in every armor strap adjusted, every weapon buckled, and every whispered chat. Now there was no going back.

Ryker strode toward her, his face solemn, his presence dominant. "The scouts are back."

Thalia straightened her shoulders. "And?"

"Orion is arranging his forces outside the western ridge of Thornwood." Ryker let out a breath. "He's getting ready for a siege."

Thalia balled her fingers into a fist. "He believes we will fight according to his terms."

Ryker's mouth quirked at the corner. "He won't be able to see the future."

Dain was close by, adjusting the straps on his armor while the veteran warrior's keen eyes darted back and forth between them. That is, if we do this flawlessly. Before the actual battle starts, one error will end our lives.

Ashen laughed. "You give the impression that we've always been allowed to make mistakes."

Dain gave a dry laugh, but it was devoid of humor. Everyone was aware of the stakes.

Thalia turned to Elias and spoke in a steely tone. "What about the forest group?"

Elias paused before responding. "Gone."

The camp was enveloped in silence.

Ryker furrowed his brows. "Gone?"

Elias remarked somberly, "No bodies, no scent trail, no sign of struggle." "They simply... disappeared."

Thalia felt a chill of fear twist in her stomach. The silver eyes she had seen in the trees came back to her. Not a wolf. Not human. Another stuff.

Dain cursed in a whisper. "We don't have time for additional unidentified dangers."

Thalia agreed, trying herself to ignore her uneasiness, "We don't." "Orion remains our top priority. You can wait for anything else might be hiding in these woods.

Ryker gave a nod. After that, we enter phase one. The eastern ravine is still traversed by Astrid's former supply route. Before Orion's army ever reaches the battlefield, we cut it off and make them hunger.

Ashen grinned. "Sabotage before killing." I enjoy it.

A fresh voice interrupted the conversation just as Thalia was ready to give the order.

“Leave now, I say.”

When the soldiers turned, they saw a tall, slender woman with dark leathers that blended in with the darkness stride forward. With the assurance of someone who has survived a fire, she exuded confidence. Her back was strapped with twin daggers, both with well-worn hilts.

Ryker scowled. "You don't belong on this war council."

"Now I am," she responded calmly.

Dain's fingers darted in the direction of his blade. "And you're who the devil?"

The woman gave a sardonic, sardonic smirk. "Kiera. And you'll pay attention unless you want this strategy to fail.

Thalia folded her arms. "And why ought we to?"

Kiera lowered her voice and stepped forward slowly. "Because Orion is already aware of your plans."

A shiver of anxiety ran through the fighters.

Ryker's mouth clenched. "How?"

Before responding, Kiera's eyes darted across the camp. "Because he's getting information from someone in your ranks."

Like a thick mist, the weight of betrayal descended upon them.

Then Ashen muttered a curse. "That is a grave charge."

Kiera's head cocked. Let me simplify it for you: your adversary is already aware of your intended attack location and timing. You will fall into a trap if you follow through on this.

Though her face was unreadable, Thalia's thoughts were racing. This might be a ruse to destabilize them if Kiera was lying. However, if she was being honest...

Ryker spoke in a low, deadly voice. "We cannot afford to act carelessly if there is a traitor among us."

Thalia gave a slow nod. "We must verify this. We alter our plan if Orion anticipates our arrival. We hit him in unexpected places.

Kiera grinned. "You're thinking now."

Dain was still cautious. "And what specifically are you doing to help us?"

Kiera's grin dimmed. "Because I want Orion dead for personal reasons."

Ryker folded his arms. "Then demonstrate it. Give us something beneficial.

Kiera's face grew serious. "You want something helpful? Tonight, Orion's second-in-command, Matthias, is transporting a supply convoy apart from the main army. It is their backup strategy. Your true objective should be to damage Orion's troops.

There was a jarring stillness while Ryker and Thalia took in the information.

Thalia looked over at Ryker. "We have a chance if this is accurate."

Ryker looked at her, already getting it. "Instead, we struck the convoy."

Ashen's knuckles cracked. "What are we waiting for, then?"

Thalia stood up. Get a little unit. We move within one hour.

Kiera hovered, her storm-gray eyes focused on Thalia as warriors scattered. "You're not who I thought you would be."

Thalia's forehead raised. "What did you anticipate?"

Kiera's mouth quirked. "A broken Luna looking for revenge."

Thalia's face didn't warm up. "I was shattered. I am no longer.

Kiera gave a nod of approval. "All right. You'll require that.

Then she disappeared into the night.

Ryker spoke as soon as she was gone. "Do you think she's trustworthy?"

Thalia's fingers clenched around her dagger's hilt. "No."

Ryker let out a breath. "So why take the chance?"

Where the silver eyes had formerly regarded her, Thalia turned to face the forest. She was still feeling uneasy. Beyond the conflict with Orion, something was changing.

"Because the real risk is ignoring the signs that something bigger is coming," she whispered.

The wind brought a low, eerie sound that was neither wolf nor human as the camp got ready to go. It made Thalia's spine tingle uncontrollably.

Ryker tensed up next to her. "Have you heard it?"

Thalia nodded, her heart pounding.

The storm was approaching.

Furthermore, they weren't the only ones getting ready for battle.