Calder's face flushed. He opened his mouth, but the pack was already shifting. A few younger wolves stood up. A woman who had trained with me in the yard called out, "She brought us their maps." Another voice joined. Then another. The sound grew until Calder sat down, jaw tight, eyes on the table.
The hall quieted when I raised my hand.
"We know their plans now," I said. "We know their numbers. We know where they hide. Tomorrow we start preparing. Not just the walls. Not just the yard. Every wolf in this keep learns to fight the way we fought today. Because the east is coming. And when they do, they will find more than walls waiting for them."
I scoffed and rolled the maps, tucked it into my armpit and left the hall with the kings beside me. The bond moved between us, steady and fierce. The pack watched us go. Some faces still held doubt. Most held something closer to resolve. But I did not care. I was queen and they have to follow my rule.
