Kane’s POV: 

 

The stench of impending war hung in the air. I felt it before I even stepped outside.

The moment Nadia and I left the palace, the atmosphere shifted. The air grew thick, like the world was holding its breath.

“Stay behind me,” I muttered. My tone was calm, but Nadia knew an order when she heard one. She nodded, still reeling from the elder's warning.

I flashed her a reassuring smile and led her toward the outer gates. When we arrived, the full scale of the mess unfolded.

The elder hadn't exaggerated. An entire army was parked at our doorstep.

These weren't stray rogues. These were organized packs....