Darius's POV
My wolf snarled, bristling at the insult. "My warriors are the finest in the territory."
"Were the finest," Ronan corrected. "I'm not sure that's still the case. When was the last time you put them through one of your legendary challenges? Those tests that made the Shadow Pack feared throughout the region?"
I clenched my jaw. It had been months since I'd designed a true test for my elite squad. The daily drills continued, but the kind of challenge that broke lesser wolves and forged the strongest into something more? That had fallen by the wayside.
"My elite squad is combat-ready at all times," I growled.
"Hmm," Lucien interjected, his tone deceptively casual. "It's just that we've heard some concerning reports. Rogues camping within your borders for weeks before being de
