Zaiden’s POV
The footsteps of the warriors could be heard, the metallic scent of weapons mixing with pine and damp earth. My warriors fanned out in silence, trained, sharp-eyed.
But still, my wolf prowled inside me, uneasy. Something wasn’t right.
I cast a glance at Cole, who padded beside me. His eyes burned with the same restless anger mine did. Or maybe too much of it.
“We shouldn’t waste time on bait patrols,” he muttered, low enough only I could hear. “We should strike first.”
I cut him a look. “We’ll strike when we know where to aim. Until then, we flush the snake out.”
His jaw ticked, but he nodded.
Behind us, Gamma Rowan jogged closer. “Alpha, are we certain about this ridge? It’s usually quiet.”
“That’s the point,” I said flatly. “If the rogues show, we’ll know someone fed
