Chapter 161

Maeve’s POV

“Hello! My name is Maeve. Welcome to the Winter Howl Pack,” I said, offering a warm smile as I extended my hand to the exhausted family before me. Their faces—lines etched by hardship—softened when they saw our welcoming lands. “You must be worn out. Let me show you to your chambers so you can settle in.”

In recent days, our pack had become a refuge for those fleeing the encroaching darkness of Valerius’s reign. We didn’t know when or how the war would break loose, but we were determined to be ready.

I walked the family to a cozy cluster of empty quarters near the Packhouse, making sure they had everything they needed before leaving them to rest. As I turned to go, I felt Draven’s gaze on me. He’d been unusually attentive all day, trailing my every step. It was at once comforting and frustr