로그인KAELThe full moon rose over Blackridge three nights later.By sunset, the eastern council grounds were crowded with Alphas, representatives, and families who had traveled from territories across the region. Every conversation carried the same tension. Some had come to recognize House Arven's restored claim. Others had come to reject it.No one had come expecting peace.I stood near the council platform with Ronan and Cassian while Elara remained with several House of Aurelis representatives. Noah was nearby, speaking quietly with some of the younger heirs who had supported his statement.Cassian unfolded the latest list of declarations."Seven packs have recognized House Arven.""And the others?" I asked."Four have rejected the claim. Six haven't chosen yet."Ronan looked toward the gathering."That number will change tonight."He was right.When the moon rose above the trees, House Arven's representative stepped onto the platform. He was a young Alpha named Darien Arven, but his vo
KAELWe left Blackridge before sunrise.Noah's discovery from Adrian's journal had given us a direction, but not much else. The pack that had refused the old succession system had no name in the current council records, and Adrian had deliberately avoided writing its location plainly. He had only left a series of old landmarks in the margin: a river that bent around black stones, a ruined watchtower, and a valley where the northern road disappeared into the forest.Ronan had helped us match the descriptions to an old map.The place was nearly a day's journey from Blackridge.By late afternoon, the road had narrowed to a dirt trail surrounded by thick pine trees. We eventually reached a wooden bridge crossing a shallow river. Beyond it stood a small settlement hidden between the hills.There were no grand walls.No watchtowers.No banners announcing the strength of the pack.The houses were simple, and several families were working together in a field near the river."This is it," Rona
NOAHI returned to Adrian's papers the morning after the warning appeared at the House gate.I had barely slept. The message had been simple, but it stayed in my mind because it came at the same time the old succession system was spreading from one pack to another. Someone wanted us to understand that neutrality would eventually become impossible.I didn't know whether the warning came from Merin or someone working with him.What I did know was that my father had spent years studying the same system.That was why I went back to his journal.The archive was quiet when I entered. Sunlight came through the narrow windows, falling across the table where I had left Adrian's papers the night before. I carried the journal, the original transfer document, and the list of protected names with me.For several hours, I read everything again.Most of the entries were ordinary. Adrian recorded places where he had traveled, families he had helped, and people who needed to be moved from one territor
ELARAThe first warning came from the eastern watchtower just after sunset.One of the scouts hurried into the main hall, rain dripping from his cloak and his breathing still uneven from the climb."Elara, there are riders approaching."I looked toward the windows. The House of Aurelis had already settled into its evening routine. Children were being called inside, healers were finishing their work, and families were gathering around the dining tables. Nobody had expected trouble tonight."How many?""About twenty."Ronan entered behind the scout, already fastening the straps of his weapons."They're armed."The room changed immediately. Conversations stopped, and several adults moved toward the doors while the older children were guided away from the windows."Do we know who they are?" I asked.Ronan shook his head."They're carrying different banners. Some are from packs that recently recognized House Arven."My stomach tightened."Why would they come here?""We're about to find out
RONANThe withdrawal arrived before breakfast.I was in the eastern watchtower when a messenger brought the sealed notice from Pinecrest Pack. Their Alpha, Rowan Hale, had formally withdrawn from Kael's political alliance and would no longer recognize Blackridge as the leading voice in the current succession dispute.I read the letter twice.There was no accusation against Kael. No complaint about broken promises. No threat of violence.That bothered me more than an angry declaration would have.I folded the notice and headed toward the main house.Kael was already meeting with Cassian when I entered. Elara stood near the window, reading another report, while Noah sat at the end of the table with several young heirs who had recently begun corresponding with him.I placed Pinecrest's letter before Kael."They've withdrawn."His eyes moved across the page."When?""This morning.""Did Rowan give a reason?""Only that his pack believes its interests are better protected by recognizing th
NOAHBy morning, the House of Aurelis was already full of rumors.People had heard about Alpha Garrick's visit. They had heard that more packs were recognizing House Arven and that some leaders were beginning to question whether Kael's opposition to the restored bloodline system could protect them.I heard the same whispers while walking through the courtyard, but I tried not to let them affect me.Then Elias found me."You've been asked to speak."I stopped."By whom?""Several young heirs from the northern packs. They want you to make a statement."I frowned."About what?""Your father. The old bloodlines. The succession dispute."Of course.For the first time since finding Adrian's journal, I understood what it meant to carry his name.People didn't see me as Noah.They saw Adrian's son.They wanted my name because it could give their argument more weight.I found Kael in his study. He was reviewing reports from the western border when I entered."Elias says people want me to speak







