The Moon’s Judgment
A storm was coming—heavy, thick in the air like a held breath.
The sky darkened prematurely as Rowan walked into the Elders’ Hall, summoned by a message sealed in crimson wax. Not a request. A command.
Caleb walked beside him, silent but alert. They both knew the summons wouldn’t be routine. Not after everything that had happened.
Not after the marking.
They entered to find the Elders seated in their crescent formation—twelve cloaked wolves whose expressions ranged from wary to unreadable.
At the center, Elder Marra stood with a scroll in hand.
“Alpha,” she began, “we warned you. Taking Caleb back under your wing, placing him in positions of trust—it has consequences beyond politics.”
Rowan stepped forward. “If you’ve called this meeting to question my leadershi
