Chapter 27
Stefan
By morning, the fortress had divided itself without instruction.
No declarations.
No banners.
Just subtle alignments.
Warriors who stood a fraction closer when Danika passed.
Servants who avoided her gaze entirely.
Elders who no longer lingered in conversation.
An attack inside pack walls changed things.
Not because of blood.
But because of permission.
Someone had given rogues permission to breach sacred ground.
That was unforgivable.
Stefan stood at the highest balcony overlooking the courtyard as warriors dragged the last of the rogue bodies toward the pyres beyond the gates.
"They carried no pack marks," Kael reported behind him. "No clan insignia. Paid fighters."
"Coin leaves trails," Stefan replied evenly.
"We're tracking supply routes."
Stefan nodded once.
Then, without turning—
"Call the full assembly."
Kael stiffened slightly.
"All ranks?"
"All."
A pause.
"That will force sides."
"Yes."
Which was precisely the point.
