The notice came sealed in wax and edged in silver.
Not urgent.
But significant.
Caleb broke it open in the council hall with Lila beside him and Rowan across the table.
Alden’s name was written clearly in the header.
Second-Year Field Exercise — Active Territory Oversight.
“He’s being placed in temporary command,” Rowan said quietly after reading it through.
Caleb nodded once.
“Under supervision,” he added.
Lila didn’t miss the slight tightening in his jaw.
Supervision or not, Alden would be making decisions that affected real wolves now.
Not simulations.
Not theory.
Reality.
Miles away, Alden stood at the edge of a valley pack territory he had only studied on maps.
The wind here cut sharper than at home. The terrain was rocky, unforgiving. The wolves who lived here were kno
