The scout arrived just before sunset.
And from the moment I saw his face, I knew something was wrong.
Very wrong.
The entire village seemed to feel it too.
The warrior barely made it through the gates before people started gathering.
Questions followed him.
Fear followed him.
He ignored both.
Blood stained his sleeve.
Not enough to be life-threatening.
Enough to tell a story.
I stood outside the healer's den with Mara when he staggered into the village square.
Kieran arrived moments later.
My father stepped from the packhouse.
The crowd parted immediately.
The warrior dropped to one knee.
"Alpha."
His voice sounded rough.
Exhausted.
The square fell silent.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Waiting.
Watching.
Father stepped forward.
"What happened?"
The scout swallowe
