Six months had passed since the fall of the Seventh Seal. The world had shifted, both in the eyes of the Hollow Legion and in the hearts of those who lived under the Free Pact. The gods were no more, and for the first time in history, wolves of all ranks lived without chains, choosing their own destinies. But freedom, as Kaelin was learning, came with new dangers. --- Highridge Fortress had transformed into the heart of the new world. Its halls no longer echoed with the clamor of war preparations but instead hummed with the vibrant activity of diplomacy, trade, and rebuilding. Kaelin walked the halls with her daughter, Seren, bundled gently in her arms. The child cooed softly, her tiny hand gripping Kaelin’s finger with surprising strength. Theron appeared from the council chambers, h

