“Alpha.” Elias approaches where I stand observing the entrance of the Grand Alpha’s den from a concealed position in the forest. “Scouts confirm heavy guard presence. At least thirty wolves patrolling the outer perimeter, with more inside.”
I nod, unsurprised. Thaddeus would have anticipated my pursuit and reinforced it with willing sacrifices. “And the underground entrances?”
“Two identified so far. Both heavily watched.” He hesitates before adding, “They’re using silver dust around all entry points. They know you’re coming.”
Of course they do. This entire operation was designed not just to capture Kitara but to lure me into confrontation on their terms, in their territory, surrounded by their forces.
“Have they detected our presence yet?” I ask, my voice unnaturally calm despite the rage burning beneath the surface.
“Not that we can tell. We’ve kept beyond scenting range, used the methods you taught us for masking our approach.”
Good. Surprise remains our greatest advantage against superior numbers. That, and the fact that they expect me to be driven purely by rage, by the wolf’s need to reclaim its mate.
They forget I’ve survived decades of warfare precisely by thinking beyond the immediate, by turning apparent disadvantage into opportunity.
“What of our reinforcements?” I ask.
“In position south of the ridge line. Twenty from Ghost River, fifteen Mountain Striders.” Elias’s voice drops slightly. “Dane also reports thirty of our own have insisted on joining, despite your orders to maintain den defense.”
A smile touches my lips briefly. My pack’s loyalty runs deeper than blind obedience. They know what Kitara represents—not just to me, but to all of us.
“Signal them to maintain position until my mark,” I instruct. “No movement without direct order.”
Elias nods, then hesitates again, concern evident in his posture. “The silver dust will significantly impact your strength if you attempt direct entry. And if the Alpha Female is being held with silver restraints, as seems likely...”
He doesn’t finish the thought. Silver weakens all wolf-kind, but those with shadow blood suffer more acutely than most. A direct assault through silver-treated defenses would leave me vulnerable in ways Thaddeus is undoubtedly counting on.
“Prepare the diversion as planned. When their attention fixes on the eastern approach, I’ll enter from below.”
He bows his head in acknowledgment. “And once inside?”
“I find my mate.” The words emerge as a growl, my control slipping briefly. “I eliminate anyone who stands between us. And I bring her home.”
Elias bows his head. “For your lips to the Goddess’s ears.”
“Begin the first phase,” I order. “Pick them off—slowly, silently. I want their numbers thinned before we make our main move.”
Elias nods. “How many nights?”
“Two. No more. On the third night, we strike.”
As Elias departs to organize our forces, I move deeper into the forest, finding a vantage point that overlooks the sprawling stronghold below. Thaddeus’s den is carved into a mountainside, stone buildings extending outward from the natural caverns within. Guards patrol in patterns, their movements disciplined but predictable to my experienced eye.
I settle in to wait, to observe, to plan. Every detail matters—shift changes, patrol routes, weak points in their perimeter. And with each passing moment, I reach for our bond, sending my determination across the silver-clouded connection.
I’m coming, Kitara.
The first night begins with silence.
Two of our best hunters—Vex and Ash—slip through the outer perimeter as darkness falls. Their mission is simple but crucial, eliminate the scouts positioned farthest from the main compound without raising an alarm.
From my vantage point, I watch through a night-vision scope as they move through the underbrush. They take down the first pair of Thaddeus’s wolves with brutal efficiency—one moment the guards are scanning the forest edge, the next they’re on the ground, throats torn out before they can howl a warning.
Vex and Ash drag the bodies into dense undergrowth, carefully obscuring any blood trail. Four more guards fall similarly before they return to our position, their fur barely stained despite the carnage they’ve inflicted.
“Southern perimeter scouts eliminated,” Vex reports upon shifting back to human form. “No alarms raised.”
I nod approval. “Rest. You’ll lead the eastern team tomorrow.”
