Warrick's POV
"Beta Kade has been investigating since the beginning. The Lake Pack's story, the symbol on their altar, everything." She took a breath. "Warrick, they were innocent. Someone framed them."
The words didn't make sense. I heard them but couldn't understand what they meant.
"The symbol on their altar was freshly carved," she continued. "Done within days of your arrival, not months or years old. The pack showed no signs of outside contact. No knowledge of current politics or alliances. Their isolation was real."
"No." I shook my head. "The evidence was clear. The symbol was glowing with dark magic—"
"Planted." My mother cut through my denial. "Someone wanted you to find them. Someone wanted them destroyed."
The room spun as I tried to understand. "Why would someone—"
Then
