The roaring cheers of the Up Pack vanguard echoed all the way from the Neutral Citadel down to the valley encampment. Large bonfire pits had been lit in a massive circle, throwing high, dancing sheets of amber flame into the dark mountain sky. Warriors were slamming their clay tankards together, roasting whole boars over the open spits, and singing old mountain hymns to celebrate the victory.

But inside the Alpha’s private silk pavilion, away from the thunderous noise of the camp, Nila sat on the edge of a fur-lined cot in complete, unmoving silence.

She stared down at her lap, her fingers still trembling slightly as they traced the intricate...