distance. The scent of blood from Kale Hunter's assault still lingered, even after the ground had been washed clea

sn't just a skirmish. This was

, turning sharpl

arp look in his eye. He could see the frustratio

"You'll speak to Skye, Aidana's Beta, and

ebrow. "You're cal

e past aside. Kale Hunter is a threat to us both. If we don't act now,

the weight of his duty settling on his shoulders. He had known Dacre to be many things-ruthless, calculating, and fierce-but in this mo

ost in the thoughts of her people. The air felt heavy with tension as warriors murmured in the background about the possibility of a second attack from Kale. She hadn't sl

hadowveil stitched into his cloak. His stance was confident, his gaze calculating, but there was no mistaking the urgency in his s

ice was low, but there was no mistaking the edge in it. Skye glanced at t

plied, her voice steady but ti

"Speak," she commanded,

His eyes held no warmth as he began speaking. "Dacre Valnan sends word. He requests a meetin

mplications of the message settling like a thick fog. Aidana remained still, her gaze never leav

n enemies for years. But now, they both had a common enemy-Kale Hunter. The rogue alpha had taken

g her decision. The thought of joining forces with Dacre, of sharing anything with him, left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had fought too hard for

coldly, her voice laced with suspicion. She could feel the heat of h

he replied evenly, his voice measured and calm. "You're smart, Aidana. You know this isn't about pride

the luxury of letting personal animosities cloud her judgment. Kale Hunter's threat was very rea

e's right. We need to at least listen," she sa

their packs-it all surged to the forefront of her mind. But the rational part of her knew she couldn't afford to let t

meet him," she said, her voice carrying the wei

tanding that this wasn't an easy decision for her. "

the council hall. The distant horizon seemed so far away, and yet, she felt as if

ome to put old

d come to m