“No,” Kael said with a dismissive click of his tongue, his eyes scanning Valerie with contempt. “The one I'm talking about is younger. A man. Who's this pathetic old crone, anyway?”

“She is one of the traitors I've been... dealing with for the past week,” Malcolm replied coolly, signaling for Carl to take Valerie back to her silver-lined cell. “I was certain she was your fourth.”

“No, it's a man. Likely from the Gryffindor or Orion Stark packs.” Kael sank back into his chair, massing his temples. “The truth is, this so-called 'kidnapping' of Alphas was a ruse. It was a recruitment drive. They're coercing packs to coordinate with them,...