The heavy flaps of the summit tent parted, and silence rippled through the chamber.
Nova entered. Her silver-blonde hair had been pinned up with deliberate elegance, thick strands braided and twisted back. Her gold in her crown in its rightful place. A few carefully-loosened tendrils framed her face, just enough to soften.
The light caught in her hair like threads of moonlight, adding an almost ethereal sheen as she stepped into the glow of the central lanterns.
Her dark blue cloak draped heavily over her shoulders, the midnight fabric stitched with subtle silver thread that shimmered with each step.
The Queen of the North had arrived and everyone knew it. Jax and Cael followed just behind, both alert, both deadly, their presence a silent warning: she was not unguarded.
The herald at the front raised his voice. "Now entering, Luna of Shadowclaw, Queen of North Varos standing in for Alpha Shadowclaw, King of North Varos. Accompanied by the High Generals of Shadowclaw: Beta Cael Valehart and Gamma Jax Thorne. Followed by Major Garrick Sparrow, Major Torn Brawle, Captain Thalen Crestwood, and Second Lieutenant Evarin Locke."
Heads turned and conversations died mid-sentence. Chairs scraped softly as about half the room stood out of reflex or respect or perhaps disbelief. The air thickened with awe, curiosity, and something more primal.
As they made their way toward their seats, Nova offered polite nods to the Alphas she'd been introduced to earlier that day.
Her expression was calm, composed but each movement, each step, spoke of purpose. She had the grace of a Luna, yes. But today, she was also a leader.
They reached their place near the round table at the front, opposite the high council seat. Nova moved to sit, her cloak catching on the carved wooden arm of her chair and cascading down like a waterfall behind her.
Then the air shifted again.
Alpha Starfang entered from the east side of the tent, tall and cloaked in black. His gaze found Nova instantly—and didn't move. He stared as if trying to memorize her, as if she were something carved of prophecy and threat. His name was announced, along with his Beta and Gamma. But even as he made his way to his own seat across the table, his eyes didn't stray from Nova. Not even once.
Jax noticed it immediately. So did Cael. And then, so did the others. Several betas and gammas began exchanging glances. A few frowned. One cleared his throat awkwardly, trying to redirect attention. But it was too late—the moment had rooted itself like a stone in the center of the room.
Jax stood behind her, arms crossed until everyone sat. He joined Cael and the Shadowclaw officers at the back of the room.
There were nearly one hundred people in the room—Alphas, betas, gammas, generals, commanders, war strategists, emissaries, and nobles—each one a leader in their own right, each representing the most powerful packs and territories across the realm. The air inside was heavy, charged with tension. Everyone understood the stakes.
The meeting began without pleasantries. There was no time.
Ashbane.
His name alone was enough to silence the room. The son of the mad Alpha had turned into his father overnight. The Alpha whose army of corrupted wolves and foreign mages had already seized entire swaths of territory in the east. It was his bold and brutal attack on the Moonfell Province that had finally forced this council to be called—an emergency summit of every major power on the continent.
Some whispered that Ashbane wasn't acting alone. That the dark mages backing him hailed from the shattered continents beyond the sea including Umbrael and Elaris. Twisted by forbidden blood rituals, their presence turned entire forests black. They moved in shadows. Broke through wards. And they were getting bolder.
With each attack, Ashbane moved closer to the heart of the continent. His armies grew bolder, his magic darker. There was no denying it anymore—this was a campaign of conquest.
And if they didn't act fast, there would be nothing left to defend.
"He's already taken half of Icebourne territory," Alpha Hollowbrook said grimly, setting a token on the northwestern inland coast of the map. "If the latest scout reports are correct, he's moving east."
A murmur went around the tent.
"He'll be gone from his capital," one of them argued. "We've got eyes. If we strike now, we can weaken his foothold before reinforcements arrive."
"The bulk of his army can't portal through. He's moving by land and horse," another added. "We intercept before they regroup."
Jax leaned forward, silent until now. "You're assuming the capital is exposed," Jax said flatly. "That his absence equals weakness. It doesn't."
"And you're assuming we can wait," Starfang snapped, voice low and dangerous.
One by one, the Alphas voiced their opinions in favor.
Nova was silent, watching, listening, and thinking.
Across the table, Alpha Lunaris leaned forward. "There's no alternative here. Ashbane will not stop. We take the capital while he's away. Strip him of his seat. The rest will fall like dominos."
Alpha Wolfric slammed his hand on the arm of his chair. "We can't delay any longer. Ashbane has already taken the Riverhold Province. If we wait, it'll be Nightfall next—and then he'll have access to the western crossing."
Starfang stood up. "It's unanimous, then. We move within the week. We strike while his army travels."
Alpha Darkhowler nodded. "Agreed. He's bold enough to raid trade caravans right outside our borders. What message are we sending if we sit idle?"
Starfang scoffed from the other side of the table. "You call this sitting idle? This council has wasted three hours posturing. Meanwhile, Ashbane is bleeding the realm dry."
A growl echoed from Alpha Redmoon, his red cloak shifting. "Then vote. All this talk, and still no spine. If we are to invade, let us do it with unity."
Alpha Hallowbrook leaned back, his voice colder. "Unity will come when the North remembers it's not above war."
Jax shifted behind Nova, his sapphire eyes locked on Hallowbrook.
After a few hours of discourse, it was time to come to a vote.
Nova realized Balen Bloodmoon, was one of the most respected Alphas. He raised his voice. "Enough. We vote now."
Alpha Lunaris smirked. "About time."
The votes came one by one, each name called aloud by the steward.
"Bloodmoon?"
"Invade."
"Darkhowler?"
"Aye."
"Redmoon?"
"Aye."
"Moonfang?"
"Invade."
"Lunaris?"
He gave Nova a sly look. "Aye."
"Darkfang?"
"Aye."
"Hollowbrook?"
"Aye, invade."
"Wolfric?"
"Aye."
"Starfang?"
"Aye."
"Bardoff?"
"Aye."
"Eclipseborne?"
"Aye."
"Blackthorne?"
"Aye."
Twelve votes echoed across the chamber like a rolling storm. Then came the final voice.
"Shadowclaw?"
"Shadowclaw votes no." Nova said. Her green eyes scanned the room, unshaken.
Bloodmoon raised an eyebrow. "No?"
"I vote against immediate invasion," Nova repeated. Her voice was calm, clear. "We are being baited."