Chapter 8. Ruins and Distrust

Adrianna’s POV

The cart rolled through massive iron gates that looked like they’d been through hell. I sat up straighter to see where they were taking me, my breath caught in my throat.

Blackthorn territory spread out before us. Half of it was just rubble and broken buildings. The other half looked like someone tried to fix things but gave up halfway through. Crumbled walls stood next to structures with fresh wood patches, and burned-out homes sat beside newly built ones.

This was what my pack did. What my father’s people destroyed.

My stomach twisted. I’d heard about the attack five years ago, but seeing it was different. This was real, these ruins used to be homes where families lived. Children played here, and people died here.

The cart wheels creaked as we moved deeper into the territory. Wolves who were working on repairs stopped what they were doing. One by one, they all turned to look at us.

Their eyes went to the beast first.