Chapter 70

The mountain pass was exactly as unpleasant as the maps had suggested—narrow, rocky, with limited visibility and multiple positions where ambush would be devastatingly effective. Arianna's force moved carefully, maintaining communication with Helena's scouts who ranged ahead checking for threats.

Through a separate communication channel, updates came from Shadowfang's forces moving into position on the northern approaches. So far, Viktor's wolves were exactly where they'd agreed to be, following the operational plan without deviation.

"Almost too smooth," Helena muttered, checking their position against the map. "I keep waiting for the trap to spring."

"Maybe there isn't a trap. Maybe this is just a straightforward operation against a common...