Alpha Kade sat rigidly upon his ancestral throne in the grand court hall of Blackwood Pack, his fingers tapping on the armrest as Alpha Cana delivered the troubling news.
The hall was filled with northern Alphas and pack officials, their eyes fixed upon the interaction unfolding before them. Kade's mind, however, kept drifting to his chambers several floors above, where Lyra lay in the grip of her first heat. He forced himself to focus on the matter at hand.
"Alpha Cana," Kade acknowledged. "You have spoken about troubling news from the northern outskirts. What news demands such urgency?"
Alpha Cana bowed deeply. When he straightened, he seemed to struggle with where to begin.
"Speak freely," Kade commanded, his patience wearing thin.
"Three days ago, our scouts found the northern outpost destroyed," Alpha Cana began, his voice steady despite the horror in his eyes. "All twelve warriors stationed there were slaughtered."
