Maps covered the entire war table, corners weighed down with daggers and metal tokens. I stood beside Elias in the war room, my arms crossed tight over my chest as Rowan, Cassian, and two other alphas-in-training analyzed the routes and strongholds marked in red.
“This one here,” I pointed to the southern ridge, “it’s lightly guarded. If Magnus plans to smuggle weapons or warriors, it’ll be through there.”
Rowan leaned forward, skeptical. “And you’re sure about that?”
I didn’t blink. “He used it before. My father caught whispers of it in old council meetings. Magnus thinks no one remembers.”
Cassian gave a short nod. “It’s a blind spot in our patrol. She’s right.”
I caught the flicker of doubt in Rowan’s eyes. He didn’t say it, but I knew what he was thinking: outsider.
Elias stepped
