Two days later, Heiko and River set out before sunrise, the royal carriage cutting a steady path through the narrowing mountain roads. The terrain grew rougher, the air thinner. Towering cliffs loomed on either side, casting long shadows over the gravel-strewn path.
River sat beside Heiko, dressed in muted silver and navy to echo the royal crest—a subtle but unmistakable reminder of her status. Still, her nerves coiled tight beneath her ribs. This would be her first official meeting in her new role… and not everyone would welcome her presence.
“First stop,” Heiko murmured, watching the sharp peaks in the distance, “Alpha Ronnel’s pack.”
River had heard the name whispered before—Alpha Ronnel of the Mountain Pass, a war-hardened man with a reputation for gritted loyalty and barely contain
