Kael’s POV

They made their move two days after we shattered the Echo Protocol. No warning. No message. No declaration. Just a wave of Council-aligned wolves descending on our secondary outpost. Lyra reported it first. “The perimeter’s breached. West base. Two defenders down.”

Cyrus grabbed the long-range seals. “Thirty signatures. Not friendly. ” Mira said, “They’re sending a message.” I said, “Then we send one back.” Elen and Rema reinforced the inner ring. Auren stayed ...