TER

ius'

o stop searchi

air from the room. The torches lining the chamber flickered a

g my eyes like prey sensing a predator. Elder Varr

, paid informants, questioned every slaver and trader across five towns. E

me no

voice sliced t

elay choosing a mate, the packs grow restless, whis

e long oak table. "My sister is missing, a

et my gaze. "It's not about comfort, Your Majesty. It's ab

ugh nearly

lene and I ever were to

and I'll keep it that way by finding my siste

to reason. Celene was taken by professionals-who left no t

sides. They didn't und

ndon her." The word

ast of your line. Without a queen, you appear weak-an

my wolf bristling at the suggesti

pond, another voice cu

ivity increases by the day. Two towns were raided last

iances, the merchant guild threatens to raise the tariffs if we do not

althazar has not sworn his loyalty to you. He's Watching for any sign of weakness." Hi

nd my

ssing and all they cared about wa

e and make promises while my sis

too," Marcellus said.

ng the wood beneath my grip. My wolf brist

nce

eliberate, spoke: "We

rough the room, h

he table. My chair sc

find

don't?" Va

"Then I'll turn Noctshire upsi

poke aft

ssed,"

quietly only

softly. "Has your wolf

. "That's i

has... perhaps your future isn't ti

e turned and left, her ro

a moment, my wol

my sister, to claim a mat

t

lcony. The forest below stretched into endless darkne

eps be

hing down your neck?" Ma

iend. He leaned against the rail

to find a mate

ated? Poor girl. She wo

him a

ing to chase clues until they ch

ne last le

ghtened. "Th

A few traders went missing. Someone's coveri

tated. "It'

why I'm

ly are a stubborn ba

ve bee

l gather a small unit, if this

ea

ared out across

e and I was runn

nig

s curling along the city's forgotten edges. The

pered. "Last reported mov

ke a corpse, its wooden slats p

l that?"

ow. The silence was wrong.

through my thoughts. W

I cau

rely there

le

st tig

ticed. "C

h the dark. Low. F

mo

orward. Claws it

Magnus

ti

gnus, already steppi

under his brea

nt had