Semua Bab Returning in Reverse After Betrayal: Bab 171 - Bab 180

“Because it means she’s worried enough about what we’re building that she’s actively trying to tear it down.” He smiles.We ride back to Moonstone in silence.Not the easy silence of two people who understand each other.This is the heavy kind. Kael rides beside me, close enough that I feel his presence, far enough that the space between us feels like a canyon.His wolf is hurt. I can see him favoring his left side the whole way.There is dried blood on his clothes. I try not to look at it.And he is missing a wolf. They left with six. They came back with five.“We need to talk,” he says through the mind link.“Do we?” My answer comes out cold.“Three days ago you didn’t seem to think talking was necessary.”“Sophia—”“Not here.” I cut the link. “Not until we are behind closed doors.”The rest of th

“What about Alaric?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.“You went north. Toward the Black Realm. Did you check on him?”“He’s safe.” Kael tightens his grip on my hand. “The person protecting him is keeping his word. But Sophia, there is something else. Something I learned while I was there.”“What?”“Crimson Moon knows about the Black Realm,” he says. “Not the exact details. They do not know Alaric is there for sure. But they know someone has found a way in. And they are investigating.”“How long do we have?”“Months. Maybe less.” His eyes darken with worry. “They are being careful. The Black Realm’s reputation keeps most wolves away. Although eventually they will either find a way in or find someone desperate

We spend the next two hours working through everything.Ironwood comes first. They are the immediate threat. The ones actively trying to rip the kingdom apart. We need to either pull them back in or destroy their ability to fight.Next, we shore up our alliances. Shadowpeak is shaky, but other packs can still be secured. We have to rebuild trust and show strength without being brutal.We also need to watch Crimson Moon’s investigation. Erica’s sight will be key here. She can track magical traces near the Black Realm and warn us if they get too close.Then we prepare for the extraction. When the time comes to bring Alaric home, we must have a clear path. A safe way to enter the Black Realm and pull him out before Crimson Moon figures out exactly where he is.Under all of it runs one constant task: investigate Seraphine. We need to learn her real goal

“I have to.” Kael’s voice stays quiet but firm. “Because if I stop believing it is possible, then what is the point of this? Why build a kingdom? Why fight these wars? Why hide our son in a cursed realm and hope we can bring him home to something better?”He is right, and I hate that he is right.“Okay,” I say at last. “So how do we start? We have a rebellion to crush, alliances to rebuild, and a timeline that is already too tight. Where do we begin?”“Ironwood,” Kael answers right away. “They are the most immediate threat. If we can pull them back into the kingdom or at least neutralize them, it sends a clear message to every other pack that is still wavering.”“Donovan will not surrender,” I point out. “He is too deep in it now. Too proud.”“Then we do

As we ride back to Moonstone, I feel the first stirrings of something I have not felt in weeks.“One ally back,” I say to Kael.“Three more to go.”“And Donovan is connected to Seraphine,” he adds.“That is both terrifying and useful.”“How is that useful?”“Because it means she is worried enough about what we are building that she is actively trying to tear it down. You do not sabotage something unless you fear it might actually succeed.”“So we are on the right track.”“We are on the right track,” he confirms.We find Erica waiting in the war room. Her eyes have that distant look that means she has been using her Sight.“What did you see?” I ask