News of Harper’s mark crossed the five territories before sunrise.

By noon, every Alpha council had received formal notice that the rejected Omega of Silverbrook now stood under the protection of Axel Blackwood. Rumors transformed the event with each retelling.

S

The Alpha Supreme’s convoy reached Silverbrook shortly before sunset.

Three armored vehicles passed through the outer gates beneath the watch of hundreds of gathered wolves. Blackwood guards rode on motorcycles beside them, their uniforms marked with the silver cre

The castle settled into uneasy silence after midnight.

Guards patrolled every corridor. Axel’s soldiers controlled the entrances, the infirmary records, and the servants’ wing. Silverbrook’s council elders had been confined to their residences until questioning began.