Chapter 176. The Battle Had Begun

Xerina’s POV

The camp stirred with a sense of grim determination. Every movement, every action, was carried out with a purpose, yet the undercurrent of fear and exhaustion was palpable. We had fought long and hard, but the real battle was yet to come. The knowledge of Valeria’s growing strength and the darkness that lingered in Zane’s betrayal weighed heavy on all of us.

I stood at the edge of the clearing, watching as the last vestiges of twilight disappeared, consumed by the night. The air was thick with the scent of earth and blood, a grim reminder of the chaos that had unfolded just days ago. It wasn’t just our physical wounds that were still healing; it was the trust we had in each other, the unity of the pack. Everything had shifted, and now, we faced an uncertain future.

Rasmus was at the center of the camp, surrounded by the remaining warriors— Luca, still pale but determined; Papa, standing tall despite the fresh scars that lined his arms. The tensi