hoing with the howls of Alphas long dead. Tapestries woven with crimson and silver thread depic

ient stone walls bor

mber, his bandaged shoulder a dull throb beneath his cloak. A cold wind seeped

stood at his side, the flickering torchl

voice tight. "Rumors spread faster than wildfire. The Cou

tightened

s. Messages carried by ravens bearing no crest. And last night, a me

Corven Alpha, Kade's

ambitious, cunning, with a taste for power th

else?" Ka

tated. "El

retched be

e's voice wa

n shadows. I don't know what she's prom

, his cousin, raised beside him, sworn t

in his side. Riven reached fo

eal wit

Kade," Riven warned. "Not

e the luxury

the tension. A scout

the eastern border. The

"Assemble the guard. And Riven

gave a stiff nod before di

r of torchlight painting uneasy

They were fought with lies whispered in council chambers,

pack was

ackmoor den's lower tunnels, Elara

ld blood. A single lantern lit their clandestine gathering,

. She was a striking woman , raven-haired, sharp-e

s already weakened. His allies flee, his enemies ga

Council?"

his blood stains these stones,

ted, her gaz

ven said softly. "Dou

reckless. He's ruled by

e against her jaw. "When it's done, you'

curved in a d

m beli

r

cottage deep within the borderlands

m came u

eath her bare feet cold and unfamiliar. The scen

aited in t

moonlight, her eyes twin pools of shimmering

knew this face , though sh

on Pri

her voice a thousa

d of dusk. The bond stirs

tand," Aria whi

blood. You ca

nd, and in her palm appea

your side... or b

uld speak, the

ng, the image of those silve

r lay on h

e

ght de

council, fates moved unseen , threads weaving