Several weeks later
--
The days passed in relative peace, but beneath the surface, there was always a sense of something looming, something waiting to tip the balance of their lives. However, on a crisp morning, that tension was momentarily broken when a formal invitation arrived at the palace.
The royal butler entered the grand dining hall where the royal family, along with Henry and Livia, were enjoying their lunch. He carried a silver tray, upon which a beautifully embossed envelope rested.
"An invitation has arrived, Your Majesty," the butler announced, presenting the tray to King Markus.
Markus arched an eyebrow as he took the envelope, noting the deep blue wax seal that bore the emblem of the Stormheart Pack, a raging storm encased within a wolf’s silhouette. He exchanged a look
