CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1 – Lisha

The night was cold, it get into the bones no matter how close one sat to the fire. The torches along the hall burned weakly, but their shadows are more visible against the stone walls. I sat at the far end of the table with my parents and my father’s men, everyone was silent, there's also fear in the air, we can all feel it.

King Camus had destroyed the Ironborn Pack only yesterday. Every man, woman, even newborns, they were all slaughtered. If you were a werewolf, or even tied to one by blood or marriage, you were marked for death.

“It’s possible our position has been exposed,” one of Father’s men said. Breaking the silence with is sharp voice with his hand clenched against the table. “The king tortured Ironborn survivors. They may have spoken.”

“It’s not just about leaving,” another argued. “It’s where we go. We can’t just vanish into thin air without being noticed.”

My father was silent, his hand resting in my mother’s. She gave his fingers a small squeeze, but when their eyes met, I saw her fear. Then they both looked at me.

Mother forced a smile, the kind you give a child to hide the truth. My Father only stared, his expression was blank, but I can see he's worried too.

Finally, he spoke. “We move tonight.”

He pointed to a map spread on the table. “This is where we are. We’ll move in small groups, little by little, until we cross the border. The king’s reach ends there.”

“And once we’re outside?” one man asked. “We don’t know how other lands will treat us. They may not welcome wolves.”

My father sighed. “Can it be worse than this? We’ve survived a year under his hunt, though we’ve lost much, but If anyone has a better plan, speak up now.”

The room fell silent again.

Then the door slammed open. Perrone, our healer and spy, burst in. Breathing inconsistently.

“It is too late,” he said.

Everyone froze. My mother’s voice broke the silence. “What do you mean, too late?”

I didn’t realize I was already standing, my heart beating so hard I could barely breathe.

Perrone’s eyes found my father. “The royal knight hunters are here. The king leads them himself. They’ll be upon us in minutes. We cannot outrun them.”

The hall erupted in shock. I saw my mother’s face go white, her hand slipping from Father’s. For the first time in my life, I saw fear in her eyes.

The day we dreaded had finally come.

Father rose quickly, his chair scraping the floor. His voice was firm. “Perrone, take the children and pregnant women to the safe place now.”

Perrone nodded once and rushed out.

Around me, warriors began unsheathing their blades. Some muttered prayers, others growled low and steady.

My father stood tall among them and his gaze swept over his men. His voice was firm, ringing through the hall like a war drum.

“Men, gather everyone you can find. Tonight we stop running. We fight whether we live or die, we meet our ancestors with our heads held high.”

His continued, raising his voice higher. “Remember what you fight for, your children, your women, your freedom. We fight for victory or we die with honor.”

A fierce growl erupted from the room as his men roared in answer, “Let’s give them hell, We are Stoneborn, we are Stoneborn.”

Their was pride in my father’s eyes as he nodded. One by one, the men stormed out to prepare, leaving me alone with my parents.

I wiped my tears quickly and stepped closer. I could not look like a child now. In a few months, I would be twenty-one. I was no weakling, I was one of the best fighters in the pack. Perhaps tonight was the night I proved it.

“Lisha,” Father began. “I need you to join Perrone and..”

“I’m not hiding,” I cut him off. “I’ll fight beside you.”

“That’s not necessary,” my mother said quickly.

“You’re going with her too,” Father told her.

“No,” she snapped. “I’m fighting with you.”

He stepped away from the table and came close, cupping our faces in his hands. “You two are the most precious people in the world to me. I need you far from this.”

Mother pressed her forehead to his. “Corven, do you remember the oath we took under the tree? We live together, or die together. You don’t get to play the hero.” She tried to smile, though her voice shook. “Besides, I’m the better fighter.”

For a moment, Father’s smiled. “If this is the will of the gods, I have no regrets.”

They turned to me.

“No,” I said firmly. “I’m fighting with you too. I won’t hide.”

“Lisha, I know you’re a great fighter. You’ve already surpassed my expectations.”

“Then all the more reason to fight at your side.”

He shook his head. “No, daughter. That is why you must protect the others, the ones who cannot fight for themselves. That is your battlefield tonight.”

“I...”

“Lisha,” Mother interrupted, her hand gripping mine. “Listen to him.”

Before I could answer, the sound came.

Horses thundering. Voices shouting. The ground itself trembled.

The door flew open and one of Father’s men rushed in. “Alpha, they’re here.”

Father’s expression turned serious instantly. “Take her to Perrone,” he ordered. He turned and stormed out before I could argue.

Mother seized me, kissing me fiercely. Her tears wet my cheeks. “You are not running away, Lisha. You are protecting lives. Never forget that. I love you.” She pulled back before I could respond and ran after Father.

The warrior who had delivered the message gripped my arm. “Come, Lisha.”

But as he dragged me toward the passage, I heard the first clash of steel outside. The cries of men. The howl of a wolf. The war had already begun. And I was being pulled away from it.