I never made it to the Ashwood.
I had woken up that morning with one thing on my mind. Noon. Eastern Ashwood. Kael's voice saying it like it was already decided. I had dressed quickly, told my mother I was going for a walk, tucked my father's letter into the inside of my dress against my skin where it was warm and hidden and I had barely made it out of the cottage door before the two Ironveil warriors stepped into my path.
Big,Broad, Faces I recognised from pack gatherings.
Faces that had never once looked at me before today.
"Lyra Ashveil," the taller one said. Not a greeting. A confirmation. Like he was checking something off a list.
I still went.
*Selene,* I said.
*I feel them,* she said. Quiet and alert. *They carry the Alpha's authority. This is an official summons Lyra.*
"The
