Black Howler was quiet when they returned.

Not peaceful.

Quiet.

Fourteen rescued wolves filled the healer wing. Royal Guards moved through the corridors with lowered voices. Every captured black mark had been documented.

For the first time in days, no one was ac

By sunrise, six packs had sent replies.

By noon, there were eleven.

Fear traveled faster than messengers.

So did anger.

Kael stood at the head of the Black Howler council table while Rhys read the latest report.

“Silver Ridge wants confirmation the threat

The feral wolf arrived in chains.

Every Alpha in the alliance watched.

Elara hated that part.

Not the chains.

The audience.

The wolf had once been male, maybe thirty, broad-shouldered even in animal form. Black lunar lines ran from his throat down his chest