THORNE POINT OF VIEW.

The Sacred Moon burned overhead like a watchful god with no mercy left to give.

It stripped the night bare, burned away ritual, courtesy, and false allegiance until nothing remained but exposed throats and sharpened intent. Its silver glare sank into my skin, into my bones, into the ancient part of me that understood what this gathering truly was.

A challenge.

Not just to my rule or by just my territory.

But to her.

I could feel my pack behind me, silent, disciplined, ...