Christmas Eve. The day before everything.
The fortress buzzed with preparation. Weapons sharpened. Strategies finalized. Wolves readying for war.
Riley stood on the wall. Watching the sun set over her army. Thousands of wolves. All here because of her.
Tomorrow, many would die.
"You can't save them all." Grayson's voice behind her. He'd learned to read her thoughts through the bond.
"I know." Riley's throat tightened. "But I called them here. If they die—"
"They die fighting for freedom. For choice. For a better world." Grayson's arms wrapped around her. "That's not a bad way to go."
"Easy for you to say."
"No. It's not." His voice was rough. "Every wolf here is precious to me. But you know what's more precious?"
"What?"
"You." He turned her to face him. "And tomorrow, I might lo
