جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 160

 Morning broke over Shadowfang beneath a sky filled with heavy clouds, their dark shapes stretching across the mountains like an omen. The warmth that usually accompanied sunrise never came. Instead, a cold wind swept through the territory, carrying with it the uneasy feeling that something had changed overnight.The packhouse had been awake long before dawn. Messengers came and went without pause, stable hands prepared fresh horses, and warriors armed themselves before taking their positions along the walls. Damien's order to strengthen every border had transformed Shadowfang into something resembling a fortress. No one complained. After the report from Frostclaw, every wolf understood that the peace they had enjoyed for the last few months had finally come to an end.Inside the Alpha's office, Damien stood over the map once again

Deep beneath the ruins of the forgotten fortress, where sunlight had not reached in centuries, an army prepared for war.Blue flames burned steadily along the ancient stone walls, casting an eerie glow over endless corridors carved deep into the mountain. Rogues marched through the underground stronghold in disciplined formations, their footsteps echoing through the vast halls as commanders issued orders from every direction. Blacksmiths worked without pause, sparks dancing through the air as swords were sharpened and armor repaired. Messengers moved swiftly between chambers carrying sealed reports, while scouts returned one after another from every corner of the continent. It was a kingdom hidden beneath the earth, unseen by the packs above, yet powerful enough to threaten every Alpha who still believed rogues were nothing more than scattered outcasts.High above the training grounds, the Witch Queen stood alone on a stone balcony overlooking the fortress below. Her hands rested ligh

Black Hollow lay between the territories of four different packs, yet none claimed it as their own. The ancient forest had earned a dark reputation long before the current generation was born. Towering trees blocked out most of the sunlight, leaving the ground beneath in perpetual shadow, while thick mist wound its way through the undergrowth like silent ghosts. Merchants had abandoned the old trade route decades ago, hunters avoided it whenever possible, and even rogues were rarely reported within their borders. For years, it had simply been another forgotten corner of the continent. Now, for the first time, Damien wondered if that had been exactly what someone wanted.Shortly after dawn, Korven led six experienced scouts into the forest. Their orders were clear: investigate, observe and return. If they encountered rogues, they were not to engage unless there was no other choice. The mission wasn't about victory. It was about answers. The group moved carefully beneath the dense canop

For three days, Shadowfang experienced something that had become almost unfamiliar: peace. No rogue attacks were reported along the borders, no villages sent desperate messages for help, and none of the patrols encountered the strange movements that had kept everyone on edge. The sudden silence should have been comforting, but it had the opposite effect. Damien knew the Witch Queen too well by now. She had never done anything without a reason, and after everything she had already set in motion, he refused to believe she had simply lost interest.The patrols continued as usual, though every warrior had been ordered to remain alert. Inside the Alpha's office, Damien stood over the map while Korven went through the latest reports. "Nothing from Frostclaw," Korven said. "Riverstone is quiet too, and the scouts sent toward Black Hollow haven't found any movement since their last report." Damien's eyes remained fixed on the map. "And the rogues?" "Nothing." Korven placed the report on the t

The northern wall shook beneath another heavy impact, sending dust and fragments of stone raining into the courtyard. Warriors struggled to hold their positions as the rogue army pressed against the defenses from every direction. The battle had become louder and more chaotic, but Damien could still see the pattern beneath it all. The rogues weren't fighting like an army trying to conquer Shadowfang. They were creating openings, forcing warriors away from certain areas, then retreating before they could be surrounded. Every movement brought them closer to one objective the packhouse.Damien's wolf snarled inside him as another group of rogues broke through the western side. He shifted fully, his massive body hitting the ground before he charged toward them. His claws tore through the first rogue that reached the courtyard, while another lunged from the side. Damien twisted sharply, caught the attacker by the shoulder and threw him across the ground. Around him, warriors fought