The threats from Thorne's cult became a weekly occurrence now. We would find notes left at our territorial borders, written in blood-red ink with messages that made our blood run cold. Black symbols were carved deep into the bark of trees, marking our land with their dark intentions. The message was always the same: "Give us the Vessel, or we will take her by force."
Thorne's cult was growing at an alarming rate. They operated in secret, recruiting wolves from many different packs. These wolves wanted power without limits, freedom from rules, and access to the dark ways that Thorne promised them. It seemed that darkness had an appeal we couldn't compete with.
We kept Aria protected as closely as possible. Guards stood watch day and night around Cassidy's home, and we reinforced our protective charms to make them as strong as we could. Cassidy never let her daughter out of her sight for even a moment.
