CHAPTER 33: THE ALPHA OF THE NORTH
The gates of Nocturne Haven had seen enemies before, but never silence like this. The entire outer courtyard stood frozen beneath darkening skies as twelve northern riders waited beyond the massive iron entrance, their black horses restless beneath the cold wind sweeping down from the mountains. Each rider wore silver-gray armor marked with the crest of the Duskfang Dominion, a wolf skull crowned beneath a crescent moon. No banners fluttered. No unnecessary movement disturbed the air. They sat like warriors carved from winter itself, calm and deadly in equal measure. Wolves from Blackwood territory lined the walls above with weapons ready, tension thick enough to choke on, but no one moved first. At the center of the courtyard, Luna Hayes stood beside R
