The first formal coalition council met in Bloodfang territory two weeks after the return.

Not in the Sacred Den. In the open ground between the three ancient trees, which was large enough to hold the four pack representatives and their seconds and the eastern territory delegation that Vael had sent, a group of three wolves who arrived two days before the meeting and spent those two days observing without commenting.

Marina had expected the meeting to be difficult.

It was difficult.

The four packs had been running on emergency coalition structure for months, unified by crisis and necessity. Crisis and necessity were now reduced. What remained was the question of...