"Alpha," Jim knocked on the door.

"Enter," commanded Alpha Ace.

"Alpha...," Jim bowed respectfully. "There is a woman at the palace gate who insists on seeing you."

"Me?" Ace inquired, and Jim nodded. "Is she from our pack?" he asked.

"No, Alpha. She claims to have traveled from a faraway land to deliver a message."

"Let her in," Ace ordered, and Jim bowed before departing.

★★★★

**ACE'S OFFICE**

The door to Alpha Ace's office swung open, and Jim stepped inside with a woman who appeared to be in her late fifties.

"Greetings to Alpha Ace of the Snow Pack, son of the esteemed Alpha Ice, conqueror of the realm of...