12 minutes past 3 a.m.
The smell of smoke drifted in before the shouts were heard.
Kael woke with a start, his forehead damp, his fever had not broken in three days.
But an Alpha’s nose could scent danger before his mind even grasped it.
He sat up on the bed, his shoulder throbbing, the arrow wound from the day before still wrapped in bandages.
“Fire,” he breathed.
Kael grabbed his black cloak from the chair, wearing nothing beneath it, no shoes.
He stepped out into the corridor, moving fast.
Down the hall, two guards ran toward him.
“Alpha,” one said.
“The main storehouse is ablaze.” Kael gave no answer, only nodded and quickened his pace.
The stone steps felt cold beneath his bare feet.
IN THE COURTYARD The sky was still dark, but the eastern side of the castle blazed bright with fire.
The two, story timber storehouse burned fiercely; flames licked high, sparks swirling like mad fireflies.
Soldiers rushed back and forth carrying buckets of water, but it was not enough, the fire raged too hot, too wild.
Kael halted ten paces from the inferno, the heat searing his face.
Beside him, Luna stood already waiting.
She wore a thick wool shawl, her hair half-braided.
“Are you not sleeping?” Kael asked quietly.
“I heard the shouting,” Luna replied, her voice rough from smoke.
“So I came out.” Kael looked at her face, soot smudged her cheek.
“Go back inside.
This is dangerous.” “I need to see,” Luna said.
“All our food is in there.” Kael did not argue further.
He stayed at her side, his shoulder nearly brushing hers, a quiet promise of safety.
Elder Alden approached, his clothes stained, face blackened with ash.
“Alpha,” he said.
“It cannot be saved.” Kael stared as the building began to collapse.
“Everything inside?” “All gone,” Alden answered.
“Grain, dried meat, preserved fruit.
Enough to feed two thousand through four months.” Kael clenched his fists until his knuckles cracked.
“Who was on duty tonight?” “The Boren watch,” Alden said.
“Three men.
I have their names, but none are at their posts.” Kael turned his gaze toward the dark forest.
“Douse the flames.
Then gather every man on night duty in the Great Hall.
Now.” “At once, Alpha.” Alden hurried away.
Kael turned to Luna.
“Are you coming?” Luna nodded.
“I am.” IN THE GREAT HALL Forty soldiers knelt on the stone floor.
Torches cast long, wavering shadows; the air grew hot and thick.
Kael sat upon the high wooden chair.
Beside it stood an empty seat.
Luna hesitated only a moment, then sat there.
This was the first time anyone had seen her sit beside the Alpha at council.
Some soldiers cast sideways glances, disapproval in some eyes, curiosity in others.
Kael spoke.
His voice was not loud, yet it carried to every corner.
“Who first saw the fire?” Silence stretched three heartbeats.
Then a young soldier raised his hand, scarcely nineteen, his face pale.
“I did, Alpha,” he said.
“My name is Daren.” “Speak.” “At ten past two, I was patrolling near the storehouse.
I saw a figure flee out the back door, cloaked all in black.
I called out, but they were already gone into the trees.” Kael nodded.
“And the rest of you?” “We did not notice until the smoke rose high,” another admitted.
Kael tapped his fingers against the armrest.
Pain throbbed in his shoulder with every movement.
Elder Alden stepped forward.
“We tracked the trail.
It ended at the river.
Whoever did this used a scent-masking potion.” Kael sighed heavily.
“So it was planned.” His gaze swept across the room, searching face by face for any sign of deceit.
His eyes paused at the far right corner.
A young maid stood there, head bowed, hands wringing tightly over her stomach.
Luna had noticed her too.
Luna stood, her legs trembling just a little, but her voice was steady.
“You,” she said.
The maid flinched.
She took one step forward.
“Y-yes, My Lady?” “Come closer,” Luna commanded.
The maid walked until she stood three paces from Luna.
“Your name,” Luna said.
“Mira, My Lady,” she replied, barely audible.
“Where do you work?” “The kitchens, My Lady.
These past three months.” Luna stepped toward her, stopping face to face, they were nearly the same height.
Luna breathed in deeply.
She smelled herbs, and something else… a salve.
“Show me your hands,” Luna said.
Mira hesitated.
“Show me,” Luna repeated, firmer.
Slowly, Mira extended her right hand.
Luna pushed back her sleeve.
There, across her wrist, was a fresh burn, raw, angry red.
And faintly beneath powder, a mark: three claw marks.
The hall erupted in uproar.
“The Whitefang mark!” “Seize her!” “Traitor!” Kael stood, moving quickly despite the pain in his body.
“SILENCE!” One word, and all fell still.
Kael descended from the dais and walked to stand before Mira.
Mira dropped to her knees, tears spilling down.
“It was not my choice, Alpha,” she sobbed.
“I was forced.” Kael crouched, his face only inches from hers.
“Who forced you?” “I do not know his name,” Mira said.
“He came three days ago.
He said if I did not set the fire… my brother would die.” Kael searched her eyes for lies, and found none.
“Your brother’s name?” “Minho, Alpha.
He is eight years old.” Luna knelt beside Kael.
“Where is he now?” “At Riverbrook Village, My Lady,” Mira answered.
“The last house, near the river.” Kael stood and turned to Alden.
“Send ten men to Riverbrook.
Now.
Find the boy, and bring him back safely.” “It shall be done, Alpha,” Alden said, rushing out.
Kael looked down at Mira.
“You know the penalty for this.” Mira bowed her head.
“Prison, My Lord.” “Prison,” Kael said.
“But you shall remain in the kitchens, under constant guard.
If your brother is returned to you unharmed… your sentence will be lightened.” Mira pressed her forehead to the stone floor.
“Thank you, Alpha.
Thank you, My Lady.” “Take her to the cells,” Kael ordered.
Two guards lifted Mira to her feet and led her away.
Silence returned to the hall.
AFTERWARD Only Kael, Luna, and the three Elders remained.
Kael sat again, closing his eyes for a moment, his head throbbed heavily.
Luna poured water into a wooden cup and handed it to him.
“Drink.” Kael opened his eyes and took the cup; his fingers brushed against hers.
“Thank you.” He drank deeply, his throat raw from smoke.
“They fight dirty,” Kael said.
“Burn our food… starve us… make us panic.” “And once we are weak,” Luna finished, “they strike.” Kael nodded grimly.
“Precisely.” One of the Elders spoke.
“We must strike back at once, Alpha.” “I know,” Kael said.
“But not tonight.” He stood, swaying slightly.
“Come with me to my study.” Luna followed.
IN THE STUDY The room was small, only a desk, two chairs, and shelves stacked with scrolls.
A single candle burned on the table.
Kael sat and took up a brush and ink.
Not black ink, red.
Luna stood behind him and watched.
Kael wrote.
His script was bold, sharp, and burning with rage.
[You burn my food.
I shall burn your forests – Kael of Blackmoon.] When finished, he let the ink dry, folded the letter, and sealed it with black wax.
“A messenger,” Kael called.
A young man stepped in.
“Yes, Alpha?” “Take this to the Whitefang border.
Leave it at their outpost.
Then return at once.” “It shall be done.” The messenger took the letter and hurried out.
Kael leaned back in his chair, exhausted.
Luna poured him warm tea, no ginger, only hot water and honey.
“Drink this.
It will warm you.” Kael accepted the cup.
“Are you not afraid?” “Afraid of what?” “Of war.” Luna looked him straight in the eye.
“I fear losing you far more.” Kael stared at her, then said quietly, “I will not die.
Not yet.” Luna gave a small, sad smile.
“Good.” FOUR O’CLOCK Down in the kitchens, Mira sat on the floor, hands bound.
Two guards stood watch at the door.
Suddenly the candle flickered… and went out.
The door creaked open slowly.
Someone stepped inside, tall, face hidden behind a cloth.
“Do not scream,” a voice whispered.
Mira shook her head, trembling.
The figure crouched before her.
“Listen well.
Your brother has reached Riverbrook.
He brought fifty men with him.” Mira’s eyes went wide.
“At midnight tonight,” the voice hissed, “you will open the rear gate.
Refuse… and the boy dies first.” A small knife clattered to the floor, stopping right at her feet.
“Cut your bonds,” the figure said.
“And remember, we are always watching.” Then they slipped out as silently as they had come.
Moments later, the candle flared again.
As if nothing had happened at all.
Mira stared at the knife, her hands shaking violently.
ON THE CASTLE BALCONY Kael and Luna stood side by side.
Rain began to fall, thin and cold.
Far away, along the forest edge, tiny pinpricks of light appeared.
One… Two… Ten… Torches.
Countless torches.
Luna gripped the stone balustrade.
“They are waiting.” “So they are,” Kael said.
“Waiting for the signal.” He turned to her.
“As of tomorrow… you do not leave your chambers alone.
Ever.” “I can protect myself,” Luna said.
“I know you can.” Kael’s voice was soft, raw with fear.
“But I will still fear for you.” Luna looked deep into his eyes.
“So do I.” Kael lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, his fingers cold.
“If the worst should happen… promise me one thing.
Run.
Take our child… and run.” Luna shook her head.
“Do not speak such things.” “Promise me,” Kael insisted.
Luna drew a shaky breath.
“I promise.” Carefully, Kael pulled her into his embrace, holding her gently so as not to press against his wounds.
“The war has already begun,” he whispered into her ear.
“And the enemy walks within these very walls.” Luna closed her eyes.
“Then we shall root them out, from the inside out.” HALF PAST FOUR Deep in the dungeons, Mira picked up the knife.
Her hands shook as she sawed at her ropes.
Outside, the rain fell harder.
And far above, the messenger bird carrying Kael’s letter was halfway to its destination…
When a great black eagle swooped down from the clouds.
The letter tumbled down into the mud.
The red wax seal shattered.
The message would never reach them.
And tonight… the rear gate would open.