The stone walls of Barduff Castle were ablaze in shades of honey and flame as the morning sun spilled over the castle's golden rooftops. Five years had passed and the lands of Nightwind, a unified territory carved from hard-won peace and boundless vision, stretched wide and prosperous from the highest watchtower, and the air was crisp with the bite of early spring.
Nightwind had combined with Tailwind and Whitedawn Packs eleven years ago. With Barduff Castle at its center, the formerly divided and war-torn area had developed into a thriving alliance. The relationship between packs had grown closer to kinship, crops were thriving, and trade was unrestricted.
Alpha Jacob was a strong leader who carried the weight of three packs and their future together on his broad shoulders. Even though his temples were now flecked with silver, his word law and presence remained unwavering. Standing next to him was Luna Leah, a towering figure of compassion and equilibrium, both intelligent and graceful. Together, they had transformed tradition into myth.
Barduff's halls were filled with the joy of their children, Amelia, who was only eight years old, and Nicholas, who is now eleven. Nicholas was already displaying his father's fire as he trained hard with the palace warriors. Attracted to the herbs and healing, Amelia preferred her mother's company in the greenhouses. Then there was Tobin, the youngest of Jacob and Leah, who was only five years old. His laughter filled the marble hallways as he chased imaginary animals.
Nevertheless, Serafina stood at the edge of everything.
Serafina, who was now twenty-three, had become a representation of calm and strength. She possessed the royal poise of her mother, Vivian, the first luna of Jacob who passed away when Serafina was still a young girl. However, her heart had long since found a home in Leah, who had loved her as her own since Serafina was ten years old. Most people believed that they were inseparable—a bond based on healing and choice rather than blood.
Serafina was standing on the balcony outside the council chamber this morning, looking down at the walkways. The courtyard was crowded with merchants. Warriors practiced in ideal formation. Under the blossoming ash trees, children from all three allied packs played fearlessly and laughed.
There was peace. Peace flourished. Yet she felt a silent tension coiling inside of her.
The Silverwind Pack's Alpha, Maximus Shaw, was coming today.
Thomas, his son, had been waiting for Serafina's response to a proposal she had never accepted for five years. The union was promoted as a show of goodwill and a fortification of ties. When it came to Thomas, however, Serafina had never experienced the pull of fate. He was courteous and kind, but he wasn't her partner.
Silence, however, had its limits. And Maximus, who never waited for long, was on his way to get what he thought had been promised.
A circle of younglings listened to Elder Malrick tell old stories in the great library. Nicholas paid close attention. Amelia scribbled in a journal that was leather-bound. With his legs crossed and his eyes wide, Tobin muttered questions that no one could fully respond to. Leah, nearby, observed them with a calm smile tinged with anxiety.
The Silverwind banners, dark silver wolves stitched onto blue silk, were seen on the eastern road before the sun had risen.
And the winds around Barduff did not sing for the first time in five years.
They bided their time.