Chapter 69

• A burial was going to be held, and the air was thick with grief and sorrow. The entire pack had gathered, their heads bowed, the weight of the loss heavy on everyone’s shoulders. It was hard to believe that just a few days ago, Caleb had been here, alive and laughing, his presence as strong as ever. Now, all that remained was the severed arm we had found beneath the rubble.
• I stood at a distance, watching as the others prepared for the ceremony. The gravesite was at the edge of the forest, a peaceful place where the trees would stand as silent sentinels over those who had passed. But peace felt like a distant memory now. The world had been turned upside down, and nothing seemed right anymore.
• As I watched, my thoughts kept drifting to Jess. I had been trying to reach her for days now, but there had been no response. Every time I called, it went straight to voicemail, and every text I sent was met with silence. My chest tightened with worry. What if she was hurt? What if she was… I shook my head, refusing to let myself go there. Jess was strong, capable. She could take care of herself. But the thought of losing her too was unbearable.