Shadows of Alpha's fate

old, piercing gaze pinned her to the spot, a predator assessing its prey. Across the table, Mara toyed

ng through the murmurs. The hall fell silent, all eyes on

aping harshly against the stone floor. With an exaggerated huff, she stormed out of the hall. Lyria hesitated, her sly smirk fa

d herself alone with Kaelen. He inclined back in his ch

e commented, his tone misleadi

oice not to waver. "Boldness is r

ging at the corner of his mouth. "And

urning brighter. "Your people are suffering while your wives w

open with a resounding crash. A warrior

. "The rogues-they've breached the eas

s calm façade cracking to reveal the

ast. Armed. They

assaults that left nothing but ruin. Fear clawed at her, but b

ordered sharply. "Hold them

Kaelen turned to Elara, his expres

rising herself with the

"They're attacking our people. You want m

Finally, he exhaled sharply. "Stay close t

g sense of dread. The scent of smoke reached them before the flicker of flames lit th

rders to his warriors. "Protect th

refused to let fear root her in place. The sharp clang of ste

commanded, his sword alre

llen dagger from the ground. "

dodged his swing and drove the dagger into his side. Blood spilled over her ha

Elara braced herself, but Kaelen appeared in a blur

ack!" he snarled, his

uldn't!" she shot ba

battle raged on, but the tide was shifting. The rogu

d blade. The village lay in ruins, but the surviving villager

Kaelen murmured to

the weight of what she'd done pressing

hand brushing hers. "You'

warrior's shout rang out f

! Over

trode toward the commotion. Elara fo

ground. As they parted, Elara's breath caught. A young

had always greeted Elara with a smile. Now, her lifeless e

ched. "This wasn't a raid," he said, hi

owed hard.

wy forest. His jaw tightened, his

t pressing down on them like a heavy shroud. Kaelen disappeare

attack had been more than a show of strength. It was a d

ow moved at the edge of her vision. She f

d before a figure st

, her voice a mixture

face drawn with urgen