Always And Forever | ENG ✓

Chapter Twenty-Six: Into the Shadows

The decision to send a reconnaissance team was made with grim determination. Every instinct I had screamed that the fortress wasn't just a stronghold; it was the centerpiece of something far more sinister. The dark energy we'd felt during the last battle lingered like a shadow over the pack house, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts. We had to act. We needed answers.

Ace wasted no time assembling the team. He chose wolves with a reputation for stealth and precision-wolves who could navigate the forest without leaving so much as a whisper behind. Each was loyal and skilled, the kind of wolves you trusted to do the impossible. Keira, a young scout who had proven her bravery during the last skirmish, volunteered without hesitation. Her resolve was clear in the way she held herself, her inexperience overshadowed by her determination.

As Ace went over final preparations, Dean approached from the edge of the room, his expression firm. "I'll lead the team."

I paused, meeting his gaze. Dean's confidence wasn't surprising-he had led countless missions before, his skill undeniable. But the thought of him walking into enemy territory left an ache in my chest I couldn't quite explain.

"You don't have to prove anything," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Dean shook his head, his tone unwavering. "This isn't about proving anything. You know I'm the best option for this. Let me do what I'm good at."

He was right. Dean's experience and instincts made him the ideal leader for the mission. Still, the knot in my stomach tightened.

"Fine," I relented, though my voice carried more caution than approval. "But you follow the plan. Get in, gather information, and get out. No risks."

A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "You're starting to sound like Dad."

His words brought a flicker of warmth to the moment, and I couldn't help but smile. "Just don't make me regret this."

The team moved out at dusk, their forms disappearing into the dense forest like shadows melting into the night. I stood at the edge of the pack's territory, watching until the last flicker of movement was gone. The forest felt unnaturally still, the silence pressing down like a weight.

"They'll be fine," Ace said, stepping up beside me. His calm presence was a steadying force, even as worry gnawed at me.

"I hope so," I replied, though my voice betrayed the doubt I felt.

The hours dragged on, each one heavier than the last. The pack house was quiet, its usual energy muted by the collective anxiety of those waiting for news. I paced the length of the strategy room, unable to sit still as Ace poured over maps and patrol reports for the hundredth time.

"Anything?" I asked for what felt like the thousandth time.

Ace shook his head without looking up. "Nothing yet. No news is good news. If something had gone wrong, we'd know."

His words were logical, but they offered little comfort. My thoughts kept drifting to Dean and the team, imagining all the ways the mission could go wrong.

Just before dawn, the team returned. The first glimpse of their forms emerging from the treeline sent a wave of relief crashing over me. But as they drew closer, my relief was tempered by the expressions on their faces. They were pale, their movements slow and cautious, and their eyes held a fear I hadn't seen before.

Dean was at the front, his posture steady but his face grim. He didn't speak immediately, his jaw tightening as he exchanged a glance with Ace.

"What did you find?" I asked, my voice steady despite the dread pooling in my chest.

Dean gestured for Keira to step forward. The young scout's hands trembled as she held out a folded piece of paper, her wide eyes betraying the weight of what they had uncovered. "We found this," she said quietly.

I unfolded the paper, my breath catching as I took in the intricate lines and symbols drawn across it. It wasn't like any map I'd ever seen. The markings glowed faintly, pulsating with an unnatural light. At the center was a symbol that sent a chill down my spine-a jagged circle radiating sharp lines like claws.

"It's a summoning circle," Dean said, his voice low but sure. "They're not just building a fortress. They're calling something... ancient."

The words hung in the air, heavy and oppressive. I had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent a ripple of fear through me.

"What else did you see?" I asked, my eyes still fixed on the map.

Dean's expression darkened. "There's a clearing near the center of the fortress. It's surrounded by those creatures-hundreds of them, guarding it. And in the middle, there's... something. It's massive, Finley. Whatever they're summoning, it's already starting to take shape."

A knot tightened in my stomach. "How long do we have?"

"I don't know," Dean admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "But the energy there... it's growing fast. We need to act soon."

I nodded, folding the map carefully and handing it to Ace. "Take this to the council. Find out what it means and how we can stop it."

Ace took the map without hesitation, his expression as grim as my own. "I'll get on it immediately."

As Ace left, I turned back to the team, my gaze sweeping over their tired, battered faces. They had risked everything to bring back this information, and I owed them more than I could put into words.

"You did well," I said, my voice filled with quiet gratitude. "All of you."

Keira managed a small smile, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Dean made it happen," she said softly. "We couldn't have done it without him."

I glanced at my brother, his expression unreadable but his eyes carrying a flicker of pride. "Thank you," I said, the words carrying more weight than they seemed.

Dean shrugged, his smirk faint but genuine. "We're not done yet."

The sun was beginning to rise as I stood outside the pack house, the map and Dean's words replaying in my mind. The fortress wasn't just a base-it was the site of something far more dangerous. The figure wasn't just leading an army. They were preparing to unleash something that could destroy everything we held dear.

And if we didn't act soon, it wouldn't just be our pack at risk.

Ace joined me, his face set with determination. "The council is already working on the symbols. We'll know more soon."

I nodded, my gaze fixed on the horizon. "We don't have much time. Whatever they're calling, it's almost here."

Ace's hand rested briefly on my shoulder, a silent reassurance. "We'll be ready."

I wasn't sure we would be. But I knew one thing for certain: we would fight with everything we had.

Because if we didn't, there wouldn't be anything left to fight for.