We reached the northern border within the hour, my father's warriors flanking us in tight formation, Kade moving beside me despite his healing wound, refusing every suggestion that he rest instead.
A dozen riders waited at the tree line, their leader unmistakable even from a distance, a broad shouldered woman with silver streaked hair and an expression carved entirely out of confidence. Alpha Vesper Voss dismounted slowly, unhurried, clearly enjoying the tension her sudden arrival had created.
"Alpha Ashworth," she called, her voice carrying easily across the open ground between us. "Forgive the late hour. I heard the most fascinating rumor tonight, and I simply could not wait until morning to confirm it myself."
"State your business, Vesper," my father said, his voice steady despite th
