Thornak stood before the fireplace, his eyes fixed on the low flames as Dain read the report aloud.
The numbers were too high. Too many deaths. All within a single week.
When Dain finished, silence filled the room.
Thornak turned slowly to face the council. Every face was grim. No one spoke.
Maravelle's seat stood empty, her body was still recovering from whatever poison or spell the sorcerer had used on her during her captivity.
Even Marcellus, who rarely showed emotion, looked troubled. His jaw was tight and his eyes were dark with worry.
"This cannot continue," Thornak said at last, his voice low and firm. "If this pace holds, there will be no packs left to protect."
"Your Majesty," Alpha Veyra said. "Are we now going to rely fully on the Moonguard? Because it appears every plan we make, the sorcerer is always one step ahead of us."
Several council members nodded in agreement.
