Celeste woke before dawn, the chill of the stone floor against her feet as she padded toward the balcony. Hollow Mountain slept fitfully. Lanterns flickered in distant tunnels, snoring echoed off stone, and the river outside glowed silver under the retreating moon.

Luna was restless, pacing in her mind.

"They’re uneasy. We feel it. The whole pack smells of worry."

Celeste exhaled, fogging the cold air.

"They’ll have to be stronger."

"So will you," Luna answered.

She ran a hand through ...