The silence in Crescent Hollow shattered like fragile glass.
As Beta Wayne stood before them, alive, red-eyed, and unreadable, everyone was still grappling with the truth. But before they could speak, another figure stepped out of the darkness. Tall, cloaked, cloaked in a presence that felt like pure danger and also with glowing red eyes.
He laughed, deep and cold, the sound bouncing off the cave walls.
"Well, well. Everyone's here." His red eyes gleamed as they swept over the gathered wolves. "Except…" He paused, looking around. "Where is that old seer? Vaughn. Of course, he did not come."
Alpha Thorne narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
The man ignored the question and sneered. "Clever old fool, that Elder Vaughn. Always avoiding fate. But funny how you showed up here, Thorne, without your divine protector."
Beta Rayne growled, stepping forward. "It is Alpha Thorne to you. How dare you spit such nonsense?"
