The official patrol log said the southern service gate had never opened.

Elara read the line three times.

Then she looked at Rhys.

“That is impossible.”

Rhys nodded.

“Now it is.”

The current rogue had used a Guard House Four pass to enter through

The pack council had never been so full.

Warriors lined the walls.

Kitchen workers stood beside elders.

Hunters crowded the rear doors.

No one spoke above a whisper.

At the center of the hall stood Marissa Vale and Gavin Holt.

Separate.

Guarded.

Unranke

By sunset, Crimson Fang knew the truth. Not every detail yet, but enough: Elara’s parents had not abandoned the evacuation order. They had been pulled out of safety, internal access had been used, and pack leadership had failed them.

The lie was gone.