ve: The St

nds were aliv

harpened blades and tested bows, preparing for what was coming. In the cent

it wouldn't be with a soft apolo

grip on the dagger

," she whispe

steady, but Astrid could see the faint crease between his brows.

er than expected,

men?" As

ied. "All wolves. Some loyal,

numbers?"

ady. But this won't be an easy

im dead in the

d through the training grounds,

older warriors. Sweat clung to their brows

barely eighteen-ca

," he called

waiting for

o know... I believ

pectedly. She gave a s

ining, and Astrid moved on-bu

believed

came into her r

ting," she said, hol

replied, pulling a leathe

" Mira said. "Tomorrow c

t her. "Do you

ink you've been ready since the day Ka

t for a moment. Then she too

the lead warriors. The table was sprea

re he gets to the main

xpect that. He always did. We should

d an eyebr

give us the upper hand.

oment before nodding slowly.

e he gave her full con

urs passed

weapons were blessed

on her boots, she caught her refle

of her lineage. Her dark hair was brai

ide, sh

come this f

n, the lookout

moving through t

e and joined Cane and t

the front of his ar

rker. There was rage in his eye

met acros

t, the worl

look at her

at her lik

d to Cane. "

for Kael and his warriors t

p had b

. He moved forward l

d and walked int

at her sides-no we

her voice calm but l

sto

rise flicker

t to fight y

"You want to

ed yourself,

ep forward.

said sharply. "And

s hit li

t him with confusion. One o

now," he sa

rrected. "And now, you've come here

eeth. "I came to

bitterly. "Yo

t, she whist

s, warriors poured i

dened as the t

ttle e

ed against steel. Cries of pain and r

d. Every move was precise, every st

, cutting down anyone

y, holding the

ained th

clouds finally broke ope

found

field, just like old times-only thi

t f

e stayed," Kae

rid asked, spin

ed, just

oved m

admitted, "but not

, and she met h

you," she whispered

a moment, and sh

ver gave me

hrill cry pie

oward the sound

Liam-was on the

ommand stood over

d spr

sl

ade ca

ed, and the second-in-

breath heavy, claw

e-his side

ped, runni

an

nees, blood pool

nd them, but all Astr

ag

person she