Kian’s POV
Three weeks had passed since the council meeting.
The air in the pack was tense, everyone could feel the friction building between Northside and Midwest, and Father was already planning defense strategies.
I’d been doing my best to keep my head straight. No more distractions. I avoided Sara and her blackmail.
Every morning, I trained the warriors myself, doubled the patrols, and made sure the borders were fortified. It kept me focused, grounded… at least for a while. But every night, when I took off my armor, my eyes found that faint brown mark on my chest, the one Cecilia left in my dream. It was still there, no matter how hard I tried to forget.
I’d thought about going back to the river to find the witch, but I hadn’t fulfilled the penance she gave me, so what was the po
