Chapter 35: The Calm Before
The hours after the trial bled into a tense, unnatural quiet. The Keep was a coiled spring, every wolf holding their breath, every surface polished to a grim readiness. Lyra stood in the command center, the holographic displays casting a pale blue glow on her face. Pins of light represented their forces—Valen's diversionary team moving into position to the west, and Kael's smaller, crucial strike force, a single, sharp pinprick heading east toward the relic's location.
Finn was a whirlwind of quiet intensity at his console, his fingers flying over the keys. "Valen's in position. Kael's team has entered the storm drain system. All comms are green. For now."
