Kael’s POV
Sleep never came.
I stood at the window of my chamber long after leaving the council room, watching the dark forest that surrounded the fortress.
Somewhere out there, Elara was awake.
I could feel it.
The bond pulsed faintly beneath my skin, a quiet heat near my collarbone that refused to settle.
She had seen me.
And nothing in this territory would remain the same after tonight.
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The courtyard below had already begun to stir with early movement.
Warriors crossed the frost-covered ground in quiet groups, heading toward the training yard as the first pale light of dawn crept over the mountains.
They moved normally.
But their attention kept drifting upward.
Toward my window.
They felt the change.
Wolves always did.
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