Kael's blade was an inch from Voss's throat when the world exploded.Not the mine. Not yet. But the air itself seemed to shatter. A shockwave of sound. A blinding flash. Kael was thrown backward. His knife flew from his hand. He hit the ground hard. His ears rang. His vision swam.When he looked up, Voss was gone.The detonator was on the floor. It had been knocked from his hand. It lay there. A small black box. A single red button.Kael crawled toward it. His body screamed. His head pounded. He reached out. His fingers brushed the box.A boot came down on his hand.Voss stood over him. His face was twisted. His eyes were wild."You think you can stop me?" Voss said. "You think you can win?"Kael looked up at him. His hand was pinned. His knife was somewhere in the darkness."You're going to die here," Voss said. "You and your wolves. The pack. The coalition. All of it."He bent down. He picked up the detonator. He held it in front of Kael's face."Any last words?"Kael met his eyes.

The scouts returned at dawn.Three wolves. They had been gone for four days. They had climbed the mountains. They had seen things.Kael met them in the council room. Their faces were pale. Their eyes were hollow. They had not slept."Report," Kael said.The lead scout stepped forward. His name was Rigg. He was young. Fast. One of the best trackers in the pack."We found them," Rigg said. "The humans. They're not just in the mountains. They're building something."Kael's blood went cold. "Building what?""A fortress. A base. At the northern peak. They've been there for months. Maybe longer."Kael spread the map on the table. "Show me."Rigg pointed to a spot at the valley's northern edge. The mountains. The highest peak."It's a natural fortress," Rigg said. "Steep cliffs. One path in. They've fortified it. Walls. Watchtowers. They've got weapons. Silver. Lots of it.""How many?""Hundreds. Maybe more. They're organized. Disciplined. Not like the Consortium."Kael studied the map. A ba

The envoy walked through the gate alone.Kael watched him from the wall. The wolf was old. Gray. Dressed in human clothes. He carried no visible weapons. His hands were open at his sides. He walked with the calm of a man who had nothing to fear."Let him in," Kael said.Theron moved beside him. "That's a mistake.""We need to hear what he has to say."The gate opened. The envoy walked into the courtyard. He stopped in the center. He looked up at Kael."Alpha Voss," he called. "I bring words from my master."Kael climbed down from the wall. He walked to the envoy. His hand was on his knife. His wolves surrounded the man on all sides."Speak," Kael said.The envoy reached into his coat. Every wolf tensed. He pulled out a folded paper. He held it out.Kael took it. He unfolded it. He read.The words were simple. Direct.*Kael Voss. You have seen my fortress. You have seen my army. You know what is coming. I offer you one chance. Surrender the valley. Disband the coalition. Hand over your

Kael's blade was an inch from Cross's throat when the floor gave way.Not a trapdoor. Not a pit. The entire stone floor beneath his feet tilted. A hinge. A mechanism. Kael lost his balance. He stumbled. His knife scraped against the throne's armrest. Sparks flew. He fell to one knee.Cross did not move. He sat on his throne. His hands rested on the armrests. His smile did not waver."You're predictable," Cross said. "That's your weakness. You always attack first."Kael pushed himself up. His blade was still in his hand. But the floor had settled into a new position. A slope. Steep. Polished stone. He could not get traction.Behind him, his team was sliding. Theron grabbed a pillar. Sera caught a torch bracket. Rigg tumbled into the wall. The others scrambled for purchase."It's a killing floor," Cross said. "I designed it myself. For moments like this."Kael looked up at the throne. Cross was above him now. Elevated. Untouchable."You've been planning this for thirty years," Kael said

The compound smelled of death.Kael walked through the gate. His body was broken. His mind was worse. Theron leaned on him. The two survivors followed. Wolves rushed to help. Hands reached for him. Voices called his name. He did not hear them. He heard only the silence of the dead.He found Sera's quarters empty. Her belongings were gone. Her bed was stripped. She had been planning this. She had known she would not return.He stood in the doorway. His hand was on the frame. His knuckles were white."Kael," Theron said. He was sitting on a crate. His leg was splinted. His face was gray. "You need to rest.""I need to find her.""You need to rest. The pack needs you."Kael turned. His eyes were hollow. "The pack needs a leader who doesn't lead them into traps. The pack needs a leader who doesn't get them killed."Theron was silent. Then he spoke. "You saved us. You killed Cross. You ended the war.""The war isn't over. Sera is still out there. Cross's army is scattered. His lieutenants