*Moonlit Forest ---- Starblood Territory*

Ryder crouched low at the ridge's edge, every sense sharpened. Around him, his chosen wolves waited; Luca, Ethan, Alia, Thalia, and two Greenwood scouts. Their breath misted in the cold night, the only sound beneath the distant call of an owl.

George had been sighted near the eastern borders three nights ago. A scent trail, half--stale but distinct, had wound toward the old hunting grounds. Ryder had followed it relentlessly, fury and ...