AYLA'S POV
The war camp sprawled across the valley like a steel beast.
Fifty warriors had become two hundred by nightfall. Word had spread fast—the Luna had returned, glowing with divine power. The Alpha King knelt to her. The bond was reforged.
The kingdom was watching.
I stood in the command tent, studying maps while Kael briefed his generals. He'd offered me his chair—the seat of power—but I'd refused. I didn't need his throne. I had my own authority now.
"Cassia was last seen here," Kael pointed to a mark on the map. "Three days ago. Moving northwest with a pack of rogues."
"How many?" I asked.
"Thirty. Maybe more." Beta Thorne leaned forward. "But these aren't normal rogues. They're organized. Trained. Someone's funding them."
"Lord Maric," Kael said grimly. "He's been moving gold through the Outlands for months. We thought he was bribing the Council. Turns out he was building an army."
