The rider wore Blackwater's colors, but his wolf scent was wrong. Too clean. Like he'd scrubbed away any trace of his true pack before arriving.

"Alpha Elara." He dismounted in the courtyard, bowing just deep enough to be respectful without showing submission. "Alpha Blackwood sends his regards and his forces. Three hundred wolves, armed and ready."

Three hundred. That was nearly Blackwater's entire fighting force.

"That's generous," I said carefully. Darius stood beside me, his wolf riding him ...