*Starblood Pack — Council Hall, Evening*

The storm broke at dusk, rain slicked Starblood’s courtyards and turned the training fields to mud. Crystal stared outside as warriors trudged past in grim silence.

Behind her, the council hall buzzed with low voices carrying too many questions. Ryder’s golden eyes stared brightly as he listened with clenched jaw, shoulders set in the way that meant he was two breaths from letting Aiden speak for him.

“…she is the Flame,” Elder Caleb was ...