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Chapter 11: Jasper’s Gambit
It was the first true grass Crimson Howl had seen in three seasons, and the valley was peaceful and green under a chilly dawn. Just six hours prior, Beau's final patrols were forced to retreat across the river with their tails between their legs after Heath's scouts claimed it.Standing on the eastern hill with Savannah covered in borrowed furs by his side, Heath felt the wind whipping his cloak. The sunrise was reflected like new blood in her ruby eyes. Thirty Crimson wolves labored silently beneath them, erecting rudimentary barriers and setting ironwood pegs.Then there was a horn sound.The Ironwood Pack, consisting of 120 fighters in dark leather with black tree sigil-painted shields, emerged from the northern tree line in perfect formation. Jasper, who was as large as an ox, had a beard braided with bone beads, and had eyes as cold as winter iron, rode at their head.Over the ridge, Scarlett spat. "Bastard wasted no time."Heath had a narrow smile. He detects weakness. Let's sho
Chapter Ten: The Informant’s Whisper
The Black Boar tavern smelled like secrets, wet dog, and sour brew.Just after midnight, Heath snuck through the back entrance, cloak still smelling of blood and pine from the trip, hood low. Vance watched the alley while Scarlett waited outside with the horses. Only three lanterns were burning inside, and two of them were dying.Hunched over a mug like a vulture watching over carrion, Forrest sat in the farthest corner. His eyes were the color of pond scum, his fingers were constantly moving (counting unaccounted-for cash or nerves that never settled), and he was fragile, almost skeleton.When Heath fell onto the bench across from him, he did not glance up."You're running late," Forrest snarled. "You also have a war scent."Heath pushed across the scarred table a little leather pouch. With a heavy clink of silver, it touched down. "Speak."After weighing the packet with his fingertips, Forrest slipped it into his sleeve. He did not look Heath in the eyes until then.With a voice alm
Chapter Nine: A Test of Loyalty
It has been seven years since the challenge circle was deployed.Before the longhouse at dawn, it was now etched in the dust: a rugged ring of packed dirt twenty paces broad, ringed by all the surviving wolves. The dismal light gutted the torches, steaming breath. Despite being kept back, children continued to watch from their moms' hips and rooftops.Vance stood in the middle, his shirt off, his chest heaving and scarred. Fear, fear for the group, dread for pups that wept themselves to sleep hungry, burned in his eyes hotter than rage.Heath turned to face him, naked up to the waist, the assassin's new wound already covered in silver and black scabs. Wrapped in Scarlett's extra cloak, Savannah gazed from the longhouse porch, her crimson eyes unblinking. Like Heat over coals, the air surrounding her crackled softly.Vance's voice carried to the back of the crowd when he spoke first.His formal words cracked with emotion as he stated, "I challenge Alpha Heath of Crimson Howl." "For gui
Chapter Eight: The First Assassin
Like a stopped breath, the moonless night pressed against the complex.Heath had not slept. With his back to the wall and Savannah's hand still loosely curled in his, he sat on the floor next to the healer's bench. Her calm, steady breathing had evened out hours ago, but each time he closed his eyes, he saw crimson eyes and silver chains drowning in agony.Outside the longhouse entrance, Scarlett had assumed the first watch. With six of their best, Vance stalked the wall. The remaining members of the pack slept with knives hidden beneath pillows and one ear open.The rule was silence.Then it broke.Thatch with a hint of leather. Too controlled a breath. The slightest change in the roof beams' weight.Before his mind could keep up, Heath was already moving, gliding across the floor with one hand clamping over Savannah's mouth as she jolted awake. The air in the room thickened, about to burst, and her eyes sprang wide, blazing in the dark and bright crimson.Heath gave one headshake. P
Chapter Seven: The Elder’s Examination
With his white beard dragging in the dust like a banner of surrender, Mason arrived before daybreak, leaning on his carved staff.The elderly wolf became motionless after glancing at the woman seated at the table."Close the doors," he replied in a shaky voice. Nobody comes in. Nobody.Scarlett herself barred the longhouse doors. Outside, Vance kept watch, snarling at anyone who dared to approach.Heath had not slept. Savannah's small, chilly, but still alive hand was in his when he sat next to her on the bench. Her lips were once more colorful. The fever had subsided throughout the night, but the scars continued to bleed slowly and darkly.Mason put down his staff and moved slowly in, like a man approaching a crossbow that was loaded."Gods down below," he muttered. "That's accurate."Gently, he raised Savannah's eyelid. The eye below had an unending blood-moon light and was all red, without any white or pupil.Mason took a step back and stumbled."White Wolf," he inhaled deeply. "Th
Chapter Six: Hostile Ground
With leaning palisades that had not seen new wood in two seasons, the Crimson Howl compound appeared little and humiliated in the twilight.With Savannah clutched in front of him, her head lolling against his chest, Heath rode through the gates. Now, the woman's skin was paper-hot from the fever, and her breath was rattling like parched leaves. Scarlett stood behind them, supporting the second Savannah across her own saddle while she continued to bleed from the spear wound.As they passed the outer fires, twenty riders turned into fifteen and then ten. Unwilling to confront what awaited them back home, the others had turned away as soon as they crossed the border.Something did indeed wait.With their faces orangely lit by torches, the entire pack stood in the yard, including elders, moms, pups, and warriors. No applause. You are not welcome—just enough silence to pierce.With boots striking dust that had not had rain in weeks, Heath swung down. Savannah weighed less than a child, so
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