Chapter 17 The Dark Huntress Appears

The air inside the Shadow of Caves was thick with tension, an almost tangible weight pressing down on the gathered She-Wolves. The usually comforting flicker of torchlight cast elongated shadows that danced eerily across the cavern walls, mirroring the unease that gripped the hearts of those present. Maera lay on a bed of furs, her breaths shallow and labored, her once-vibrant complexion now a pallid hue. The metallic scent of blood permeated the air, a stark reminder of the grievous wound that threatened to steal her life away. Cloths, soaked through with crimson, were pressed against her side by the healers, their hands moving with a practiced urgency born of desperation.