The war bells began before sunrise.
One long note.
Then another.
Then another.
They rolled across Ravencrest like thunder, shaking the windows and waking every wolf inside the fortress.
I stood beside the balcony doors, staring down at the courtyard.
Soldiers were already moving.
Horses were being saddled.
Weapons were being carried toward the gates.
Healers hurried through the crowd with baskets of herbs and bandages.
Everywhere I looked, people were preparing to fight.
Because of me.
I pressed my palm against the cold glass.
A quiet voice behind me said,
"You didn't sleep."
I turned.
Kael stood in the doorway.
He was already dressed for battle.
Black armor covered his chest, the royal crest engraved across his shoulder.
His sword hung at his side.
He looked like a kin
