The warning didn’t come from scouts.
It came from a zeta healer — a nervous young man named Kenny, who caught up to me while I was checking the newly repaired roof of the training hall.
"There, this should do it, we should be able to start the training tomorrow." I said to myself but then noticed his presence and turned.
“I… I shouldn’t be here, Alpha,” he stammered, glancing around like shadows might be listening.
“What is it?” I kept my voice low, careful not to spook him further.
“I heard talk. Two of our warriors… they left the border last night. Took the old path toward the rogue lands.”
A cold weight settled in my gut. “Who else knows?”
“Only Lina.”
The name hit harder than it should have. “The little girl?”
Kenny nodded, guilt flickering in his eyes. “She saw them go. She
