Chapter 34

Elder Ruth's camp was hidden in a narrow ravine two miles from where the confrontation had taken place. It was a temporary settlement—lean-tos covered with forest debris, fire pits dug deep to minimize smoke, supplies stored in waterproof bundles. The camp of wolves who'd been living rough for weeks, maybe longer.

Arianna counted at least thirty wolves in the immediate area, with Ruth mentioning more scattered throughout the borderlands. They were a mixed group—young and old, male and female, warriors and farmers. The only thing they had in common was the haunted look in their eyes and the old Ravenwood pack marks on their bodies.

These were her...