The cold mist of dawn hung low over the river border as the vanguard column crossed into the territory of the Down Pack.

Nila rode knee-to-knee with Kaelen, her hands steady on the leather reins of her mare. She wore the structured midnight-blue cloak, the circular silver wolf brooch pinned firmly at her collarbone, its sapphire catching the gray morning light. Behind them, forty Up Pack warriors rode in a tight, silent diamond formation, their weapons kept drawn but low. Under the Alliance decree, Richard had until the next full moon to vacate the valley, so this visit had to be brief and entirely peaceful to avoid breaking the treaty....