Stewart and Nadia's pack ran through the night, moving with supernatural speed through forests and abandoned industrial zones. The coordinates led them north, away from the city, into wilderness where the supernatural world operated without human interference."How far?" Stewart asked, keeping pace with Nadia."Five miles. Maybe less." Nadia's amber eyes glowed in the darkness. "But Stewart, you need to understand something. If Sarah has the Primordial trapped, she's not alone. The Old Pack doesn't hunt Primordials with small numbers. She'll have twenty, maybe thirty warriors.""Then we're outnumbered.""Significantly." Nadia glanced at him. "But Primordials are nearly impossible to kill. The fact that he's calling for help means something worse is happening. They might be using binding magic. Trying to trap him rather than kill him.""Why would they trap a Primordial?""To study him. Extract his essence. Use his power to create stronger bindings." Nadia's expression darkened. "If the

The war room at Nadia's compound was cramped with bodies. Stewart, Claire in human form wearing clothes Helen had provided, Nadia, Sienna with three of her strongest wolves, Strand checking his weapons, and Lily spreading her hand drawn map across the table. Danny stood on a chair to see better, his golden eyes studying details no one else could perceive."The fortress has three levels," Lily began, her voice steady despite visible trembling. "Ground level is barracks and training facilities. Second level is administrative, where they keep records and plan operations. Third level, underground, is where they perform bindings and keep hostages.""How many guards?" Strand asked, marking positions on a tactical overlay."Twenty rotating shifts. Ten on each shift. Plus Anastasia and Sarah, who are always there." Lily pointed to the underground level. "The binding chamber is here, in the center. Reinforced walls. Silver lined. Only two entrances, both heavily monitored.""Surveillance syste