North Ridge was no longer the same after the night of the hunters.
The stones of the main hall still bore cracks. A faint metallic scent lingered in the air. Some wolves were wounded, though none had fallen. It was a victory, but not a light one.
Aurelia stood in the main courtyard as the sun rose. The morning light touched the weary faces of the guards.
She saw fear.
But more than that, she saw anger.
Darius walked closer, his body still bandaged on the shoulder. "We must strike back."
Lucien stood beside Aurelia. "Attacking the Council means open war."
"That's exactly what they want," cut in Cassian, who had just come from the interrogation room. "I've spoken to the two hunters we captured. They're not ordinary soldiers. They've been trained for years for one purpose—to wipe out the Sovereign line."
Alaric stood calmer than the rest, but his eyes were cold. "The Council is afraid. That much is clear. But fear makes them dangerous."
Aurelia looked toward the eastern forest.
