Tension weighed heavy over the Stormborn stronghold like a thick storm cloud refusing to break. Rumors of Aria’s violent encounter with rebellious wolves at the border spread like wildfire, stoking embers of distrust among her own packmates.
Within the courtyard, clusters of Stormborn wolves exchanged hushed, anxious glances. Many of them had witnessed the aftermath of Aria’s confrontation, the blood, the trembling shock in her eyes, enough to feed worry that her strength might be as terrifying as the rumors claimed. Worse, whispers lingered about how close the wounded rebel had come to death.
As dawn gave way to a grey morning, Layla and Ronan stood by the keep’s main doors, listening intently to a senior pack member air his grievances.
“Some of our own say the heir’s power is too grea
