The howl spread through the night like wildfire.
One voice became five.
Five became dozens.
By the time the echoes faded across the forest, every wolf inside Blackclaw compound was awake.
Selene stood at the center of the courtyard as warriors rushed from every corridor and barracks. Torches burned brighter as guards lit more along the walls, their flames dancing wildly in the cold wind.
Kai moved through the chaos like he had been waiting his whole life for this moment.
"North wall!" he shouted to a group of young fighters. "If anything climbs that ridge, you stop it there."
Rowan stood beside Selene, eyes closed briefly as he listened to the distant forest.
"They're spreading out," he murmured.
Selene studied the map in her hands.
Bloodcrest wasn't attacking blindly.
They were surrounding.
Slowly tightening a circle.
"They want the compound," she said quietly.
A Beta named Lorian approached, breathing hard.
"Alpha Silas isn't back yet."
Selene nodded once.
