Black Howler looked nothing like Crimson Fang.

The Royal Pack sat across a wide valley carved between dark mountains, with stone walls built into the slopes and training grounds large enough to hold several companies at once.

Elara noticed the exits

The Royal archive was older than the palace above it.

Elara felt that the moment she stepped underground.

Cold stone.

Dry air.

Rows of shelves cut directly into the mountain.

No banners.

No polished throne-room decoration.

Just records.

Kael led her through

Mira’s idea of training was simple.

“Make the seal open.”

Elara stared at her.

They stood in a circular stone chamber beneath the archive, its walls carved with old lunar symbols and exactly one narrow window high above.

Kael stood near the door.

Rhys had