The full moon has passed.
But the remaining peace feels like thin glass beautiful, clear, and could shatter at any moment.
North Ridge is back to its usual activities. Wolves train. Children run among the trees. The Lunas who dared to speak last night now sit on equal footing in pack meetings.
The change is evident.
And precisely because of that… it is dangerous.
Aurelia stands in the strategy room with Lucien, Alaric, Darius, and Cassian. The territory map is still spread out, but this time there are no red circles marking the Veilborn.
"The Council has been silent for too long," said Cassian, his fingers tapping gently on the stone table. "They never accept defeat calmly."
Darius scoffed. "They're cowards. Hiding behind old rules."
"Don't underestimate them," Alaric cut in calmly. "The Council has endured for hundreds of years not because of physical strength. But because they know when to strike."
Lucien looked at Aurelia. "What do you feel?"
