The morning sir was cold and the cloud looked like it was going to rain soon. I sat at the head of the war table with folded arms as I listened to Ardan outline the patrol schedules for the coming week. His voice was steady and reassuring—something I needed more than I cared to admit.

“The northern border patrols will overlap every two hours,” Ardan explained, marking the map with strokes. “Zone and Rachel will lead the first sweep, and we’ll keep fresh warriors rotating. If there’s anything out of place, we’ll know.”

I nodded, satisfied with the plan. “It’ll hold for now. I just want our wolves to feel...