The halls of the palace were quieter now, but not at peace. The scent of change lingered in the air like the ash of a burned forest—clean in appearance, but hiding scorched roots below.
Kaelin strode the corridors flanked by Lira and Mira, the three a visible symbol of the kingdom’s new order. Her robe was white, embroidered with the rising sun—the emblem chosen to replace the old Alpha sigil. A symbol for rebirth.
But peace was never passive. It had to be defended, protected.
And sometimes, questioned.
---
Lira adjusted her sword belt. “You feel it too, don’t you?”
Kaelin didn’t answer at first.
“Something’s wrong,” Mira whispered.
“It’s not wrong,” Kaelin said. “It’s brewing.”
---
In the western territory of Thorne, where rocky cliffs met the stormy sea, Governor Alric paced th
