Chapter 89

Spring came with news that would test Viktor's commitment to the coalition more severely than anyone had anticipated.

A messenger from Shadowfang arrived at dawn, exhausted from hard travel and bearing urgent news. Natasha had been challenged for leadership by a coalition of traditionalist wolves within Shadowfang who viewed the reforms as unacceptable weakness.

"It's not just internal dissent," the messenger explained to Arianna and her assembled advisors. "Three senior wolves have formally invoked ancient challenge rights, claiming that Natasha's reforms have made Shadowfang vulnerable and that Viktor's coalition membership is betrayal of pack sovereignty. They're demanding either reversal of all reforms or combat challenge for Alpha succession."...