They were saying her name in places she'd never been.
Reign heard it from the scouts first. In the eastern territories, rogues gathered around fires and told stories about the Frost Queen who'd killed an Alpha and survived. In the southern packs, wolves whispered that she was cursed, born wrong, dangerous. In the north, they said she was the only one with the spine to stand against the Council.
She didn't know which version bothered her more.
"Another group arrived while you were planning defenses," Tarek said, handing her a list. "Fifteen this time. Two are former Council guards."
Reign scanned the names. "Council guards don't just desert."
"They do when they see which way the wind's blowing." He crossed his arms. "Your reputation is spreading faster than we can control it."
"Can't
