Ardyn POV

The smell never left.

Ash bitter, bone-dry, clinging to the throat. Every corridor of Iron Howl reeked of it. Wolves smeared it across their muzzles, across their chests, until it seemed my pack had turned grave-wolves, not living flesh.

All for the heir.

Not for me.

Not for Kael.

Each morning they gathered at the altar, bowing to the bone crown fused into my belly. Their chants shook the stone:

“Alpha Eternal. Alpha Eternal.”

I burned inside. Not from pride.

From fire that ...