ch of blood and sweat. Instead, I found stone halls lit by warm torches, organised suppl

that disturbed me more t

wear, and though the fabric scratched at my skin, it at least hid the soul mark on my nec

dd

my mind like a curse. His golden eyes. That quiet anger. The

n a rack. Noted the back gate beyond the courtyard. Counted the gua

me: this place was alive. Ever

him in a dark tunic, arms folded, commanding the room with silence. They reported to him one

a hungry pup. He ordered a scout flogged for disobedience but let a he

d him. How my heart twisted when h

tone halls, I wandered deeper than I should have. Past a rusted archway hidden behind

ke old blood

My steps echoed softly, bare feet brushing cold stone as I followed the t

er here. Ol

er. Ancient symbols had been etched into each, runes I didn't recognise, but that

lay cold. A strange pressure built behind my ey

ng hand across

nside my mind.

ere," came a voice

archway, torch in hand, her

place?" I aske

ssed the chamber, laying a hand on one of the s

ght. "These a

opped. "This was Maddox's first pac

ed. "He h

s Maddox of Duskang. The son of a disgraced Beta. Born under a blood moon, marked by loss. His

ghtened. "A

warriors. His only family. He buried them himself in the

e symbols now felt heavier. Sadd

s heart before the entire Council of Elders. That was the day t

him for the betrayal,

"Justice is only clean whe

silence

hen at the cold, empty pit in t

ld not be forgotten," she

eaving me standing alone with ghosts,

I had observed when the guards rotated. There was a gap just after moonr

ep a silent scream. My breath caught in my thro

y skull. No. Not m

head. Visions flooded my mind, fire, b

hands gripping the stone floor as some

es wild. Sweat-soaked. A growling cry

eck flared like

footsteps thundered. Shouts echoed through the trees as

s cra

they reached the clearing, I was already on the ground, trembling,

en, da