The end of the hibernation period had officially arrived.
The atmosphere inside the western corridor of the Iron-Wood Manor was thick and suffocating.
The entire family was gathered at the far end of the sprawling hallway, maintaining a strict, calculated distance from the doors of Syris's private chambers.
The toxic-green magical ward that had sealed the room for months slowly disappeared.
"Stay back. All of you," Torian commanded, his booming voice dropping into a lethal, uncompromising Warlord growl. The White Tiger Alpha stood at the absolute front of the formation, his massive shoulders tense, his razor-sharp claws fully extended from his fingertips.
Right beside him, Kaelen had his arms spread wide, acting as a physical, muscular barricade to keep the incredibly anxious, pacing pre-teen wolf triplets securely behind him.
