Dawn came without warmth.
The celebration fires in the capital had burned out, leaving only smoke drifting through the cold morning air. Wolves moved through the palace courtyards with urgency now, not joy.
Word of the Old One’s warning had spread faster than the sunrise.
The Devourer was hunting the child.
Inside the War Hall, every Alpha of the Five Territories stood around the massive stone table. Maps covered its surface territories, borders, forests, mountains, oceans.
For the first time since the kingdom united, the room felt tense.
Uncertain.
Rowan stood at Ivy’s right side, arms crossed, eyes sharp as he studied the gathered leaders.
Seraphine stood near the table’s edge, her staff glowing faintly as ancient runes slowly circled the crystal keys laid before them.
Three key
