"The wolves at our door are no longer hiding."
Asher's words cut through the tension in the war room like the first strike of a blade. He stood at the head of the table, his posture stiff and his jaw tight as he surveyed the gathered advisors. Maps and reports littered the table’s surface, detailing the movements of the rebellious faction encroaching on Verauno’s borders. The room smelled of ink, aged wood, and the sharp tang of worry.
I sat beside him, my own gaze fixed on the sprawling map before us. The rebellion was no longer a whisper in the shadows—it was a roaring beast, its claws scraping against the edges of our kingdom. And at its helm was a name that sent unease rippling through the room: Alpha Kael.
“He’s testing us,” I said, breaking the tense silence. “He’s looking for wea
