Zack’s POV
The capital smelled of sweat and wine. Wolves lounged around the square, some sharpening blades, others gambling. They weren’t warriors, not yet but they would be.
I stood in the center, cloak pulled back, my mark clear on my neck. Conversations dropped off, eyes snapping to me.
“Alpha Zack.” One man spat the words, half sneer, half respect. “What brings you here? Moonclaw hasn’t stepped foot in the capital in months.”
I let my gaze sweep over them, sharp and cold. “I’m not here for your gossip, I’m here for recruits.”
A murmur ran through the crowd. Some looked confused. Others laughed, short and ugly.
“Recruits?” one young wolf with a scar across his cheek barked. “What for? Heard Moonclaw already has an army, why scrape the bottom of the barrel?”
My wolf pressed agains
