POV: Jake

Wars do not end when the monster dies; they end when the survivors decide what comes next.

Right now, no one could agree on anything as Kael had gone to look for Lyra.

“Say that again,” a gray-furred Alpha snapped from across the council fire. “Say it slowly this time.”

“I said,” another wolf replied, teeth flashing, “that without Kael, your claim to the eastern ridge means nothing.”

The growls started immediately.

I stood between them, palms raised, every muscle ...