The heavy wooden doors of the Citadel’s main keep swung open, allowing the freezing night air to sweep into the grand entrance hall.
We had returned from Oakhaven under a canopy of stars. The trip back up the winding mountain trails had been fast, driven by the quiet triumph of securing the valley. The eight bound Bloodmoon infiltrators were marched ahead of us under the strict guard of Beta Freya’s scouts, their silver chains clinking rhythmically against the stone steps.
Alpha Kaelen was waiting in the great hall. He stood near the towering stone fireplace, his back straight, surrounded by Commander Vance and several senior pack captains. The moment our boots echoed against the flagstones, Kaelen turned.
His amber eyes swept over the returning unit, instantly locking onto me. He took
