Chapter 190

He inclined his head instead, the way one does before stepping onto ground that might give way.

“Then listen,” he said. “Because the beginning is not kind.”

The wind pressed harder against the gate, rattling iron that had not moved in decades. The boundary stones dimmed again, withdrawing their light as if bracing themselves.

“Before packs,” Rowan continued, “before Alphas and councils and bloodlines pretending they chose their power—there was a singular ...