“This land,” they said, “was never meant for kings or councils. It was a place of balance—where wolves, druids, and magic coexisted. But long ago, the Pack Council twisted that balance. They propped up certain alphas. Controlled others.Set bloodlines against each other to thin the magic…dilute the power.”
I swallowed hard. “So the Hollow’s magic was intentionally suppressed.”
“They tried.” The druid looked at Rowen. “But not all lines break.” They kept their gaze on her. “Your mother’s line was bound to the land by old rites. Silent ones. Passed through daughters. Through sacrifice.”
Rowen stiffened. “My mother was never a druid.”
“No,” they said gently. “But her mother was. And her mother before her.” Their gaze sharpened. “You are legacy, Rowen. The Hollow remembers.” They gave a soft sigh. “Born at the base of the Heartwood itself, your first breath was taken at the heart of the Hollow.”
I looked at Rowen. “So itisyou. The Hollow responds toyou.”
The druid smiled faintly. “Itshouldhave. Untilyouwalked in, Wolfe.”
My mouth went dry.
“The land choseyou, Wolfe,” the druid continued. “Not because you took it. Because you came toguardit, toprotectits daughter. The Hollow recognizes that.Thatis what the Pack Council fears.”
Rowen stepped forward, eyes blazing. “Then why not help us? Why stay silent?”
“Because now,” the druid said, voice quiet as mist, “youunderstandwhat’s at stake.”
I stared into the flickering candlelight. I felt it now. Old power hummed beneath my skin, restless and watching. Not from me, not from the druid—but from thelanditself.
Awake.
Aware.
The candle flickered. Power stirred.Hungry.
I exhaled. “We’re prepared.”
Rowen nodded. “We’re together.”
“Together,” the druid said with a small smile, and bowed their head. “Then I am yours to command.”
Rowen and I left the tent, her hand gripping mine. She met my gaze without flinching.
“They’ll come for you,” she said, worry in her gaze.
“They already are,” I answered.
Diesel stepped from the shadows of the tent, Killian at his shoulder. Brand was close behind. All of them had heard enough.
“What’s next, Alpha?” Diesel asked.
I let the weight of the moment settle over us. The wind answered with a howl through the trees. The Stonefang wolves’ loyalty burned at my back. And beside me, my mate—steady, unyielding—stood ready to face them all.
“We don’t wait,” I said. My voice carried, low and final. “The Pack Council thinks they can decide who leads and who bleeds.” I shook my head. “They think by denouncing me, they claim Blueridge Hollow back under their control.”
Killian’s jaw clenched. “They’re wrong.”
“They’re dead wrong,” I said. “From this moment forward—this is not defense. This is not patience.”
I looked at Rowen, who nodded once.
“This is war.”
Epilogue
