Three moons and a fortnight had passed since Cedric had last set foot in these lands, and now, as he stood holding the letter in his hand, the weight of its contents was heavier than any burden he had carried before.
He read aloud, his voice thick with concern:
"For the past few moons, we have been living in hell. Alpha Darius has returned, and Vargr is nowhere to be found. The Luna has been locked in the dungeon, with barely enough food or water. She carries the Alpha's heir, and with such a grievous labor, we fear she may not survive. I cannot near her, for only Alpha Darius himself dares approach her. Please, this is the third letter I have managed to send to you, the others intercepted. Uthred, who has taken your title, has aligned himself with a powerful mage. For one such as he to
