The envoys arrived at noon.
Three wolves. Black cloaks. Silver pins on their collars — the Shadow Fang sigil, a serpent coiled around a fang. They moved in perfect unison, like three blades carried by the same hand.
Sera stood in the great hall with the rest of the pack. Dax on the dais. Lumi hidden in the back with Garrett.
The lead envoy stepped forward. Tall. Gaunt. Face like a blade carved from winter.
"Alpha Magnus of Shadow Fang Pack sends his greetings to Alpha Dax Ironcrest." The voice was silk over steel. "He also sends a proposal."
Dax said nothing.
The envoy smiled. It didn't reach his eyes.
"Magnus offers a trade. The child. In exchange for peace. For stability. For the security of your pack and your territory." The envoy paused. Let the words land. "Shadow Fang has the
