The horn sounded again.
Long. Hollow. Ancient.
It crawled across the land like a warning carved into bone, and every wolf—Alpha or not—felt it settle deep in their chest.
The courtyard fell into uneasy silence.
Ronan’s hand brushed the small of my back, grounding but not possessive. He didn’t pull me closer. He didn’t push me behind him.
He let me stand.
That alone said everything.
The seer bowed her head, fear tightening her features. “The Old Council has not gathered in centuries.”
Kael’s gaze snapped to her. “That’s a myth.”
“No,” she replied grimly. “It’s a forgotten truth.”
The air shifted.
The scent of ash and moonstone rolled across the courtyard, heavy and unmistakable. Wolves at the outer gates whimpered, some instinctively dropping to their knees.
Then the gates opene
