The summons came at dusk.Not spoken.Not announced.Felt.Every wolf in the camp stilled at once, conversation dying mid-breath as the low horn sounded—once, slow and heavy. The call for assembly.I rose from Ronan’s side reluctantly. He was sleeping again, deeper this time, breath steadier—but the bond still felt fragile, like glass stretched too thin.“I’ll be back,” I whispered, brushing my fingers through his hair.His hand tightened weakly around mine.“Don’t… kneel,” he murmured.I smiled without humor. “Never again.”Outside, the camp was already shifting. Wolves gathered instinctively, forming a wide ring around the old stone platform at the center—the place where Alphas were challenged and traitors judged.The place where stories ended.Ashael flickered into existence beside me as I walked.“They are accelerating,” it said. “Fear shortens patience.”“Good,” I replied. “I’m tired of waiting.”The elders stood atop the platform when I arrived—seven of them, cloaked in traditio
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