(Kieran POV)
The white flag appeared at my gates three days after Catherine's letter, carried by a wolf I didn't recognize but whose scent carried enough dominant markers to make my hackles rise even in human form. Young, confident, moving with the particular swagger that came from serving an alpha powerful enough to make enemies think twice about casual retaliation.
I watched from my study window as he approached the main entrance with movements that spoke of someone accustomed to being received rather than turned away. No weapons visible, but creatures like us didn't need steel to be dangerous. His very presence here was threat enough—enemy wolves didn't request audiences unless they carried messages worth hearing, regardless of whether those messages were welcome.
Lucas appeared at m
