*Shadow Pack Borderlands ---- Frost River, Dusk*

Frost River flowed through the foothills, late--winter ice clinging to its banks. The Starblood warriors had marched all day, paws crunching in the snow. They had been sent ahead to scout the bend where Greenwood's maps claimed the river was shallow to provide an easy crossing for supply trains moving toward Shadow Pack territory.

Ryder walked ahead, his broad shoulders dark against the fading light. Crystal kept pace beside him, ...