But he didn’t reply. His attention snapped toward the cave entrance, his senses sharpening. A low, steady rumble vibrated through the stones, like distant thunder, but too even, too mechanical. River stiffened, every nerve on edge.

“Stay here,” he ordered.

“Wait... what? River!”

But he was already running toward the mouth of the cave, his black hair the last thing she saw before she scrambled after him, confused by his sudden alertness.

When she finally reached the entrance, gasping, her aching body protesting, she stumbled upon a scene almost absurd.

River stood in the clearing, chest heaving, eyes locked on the sky, growls spilling from his throat as he turned in circles, ready to tear apart an invisible enemy. But there were no wolves. No renegades. Only the gray-blue sky, and a commercial plane cutting through the clouds, its heavy drone vibrating the air, flying a little lower than usual.

“What the…?” Lyra blinked in disbelief. “An airplane?”

River didn’t move. His eyes clung to t