Third person POV
The Silver Fang packhouse was quieter than usual that morning. The council chambers were empty, and the usual rush of staff in the halls had dulled to a steady hum. Outside, a gray mist hung low over the woods, swallowing the horizon.
Lance knocked once before stepping into Nolan’s office. It was more warning than he normally gave.
His brother was at his desk, half-hidden behind a stack of reports. The circles under his eyes told the story of another sleepless night. A mug of coffee sat untouched beside his elbow, long since gone cold.
“Morning,” Lance said.
Nolan looked up, startled for half a second before his expression softened. “You’re up early.”
“Could say the same about you,” Lance replied, crossing the room. “Though judging by that coffee, you’ve been up all
