In the wake of their harrowing encounter with Vivian's twisted abomination in the northern mines, Draco knew his pack could no longer afford to rely solely on brute strength. If they were to overcome the ancient evil arrayed against them, they would need to nurture the minds of their people, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to adapt and persevere.

He gathered the pack elders, his expression grave. "We have long focused our efforts on honing the primal forces within us – our fangs, our claws, our raw, visceral power. But Vivian's machinations have proven that such strength alone will not be enough to secure our future."

One of...