The war room had become our second home. Maps covered every surface, marked with red ink showing reported pack movements. Each new marker made the situation look worse.
"Three more sightings." Caleb added pins to the map's northern section. "Shadowcrest pack, moving south. That's four separate packs now within striking distance."
"They're coordinating," I said, studying the pattern. "Look at the timing. Each pack moved the day after the trial. Like they were waiting for a signal."
"Or waiting to see if you'd be exiled." Celeste joined us, carrying fresh intelligence reports. "If the hearing goes badly, they might be positioning for an attack on a weakened academy."
"Comforting thought." I marked another location. "What about the eastern territories?"
"Still quiet. Which worries me mor
