The elders stood abruptly from their seats, exchanging uneasy glances with one another. Anxiety flickered in their eyes, and the tension in the room thickened.

Instinctively, each of them turned toward Aeron, silently waiting for his command, looking to him for what to do next.

Aeron’s dull gaze sharpened. He rose slowly from the Alpha’s seat, the long table between him and the elders barely noticeable under the weight of his presence. "Where exactly is the attack coming from?" he asked, his voice steady but commanding.

The guard, still breathing heavily from his run, stepped forward. "The Town Hall, Prince Cassien," he said urgently. "They are advancing toward the palace. Civilians are being attacked along the way."

Aeron’s eyes narrowed, his hands pressing lightly against the edge of the table. The elders remained silent, each waiting for his next command, their unease growing with every passing second.

Theron’s fists clenched at his sides. The words struck him sharply. His heart thumped violently as he realized how close the threat was.

The guard’s warning echoed again in his mind. Lives were in danger, and time was slipping away.

Theron’s gaze slowly lowered to the letter squeezed tightly in his fist.

The paper had crumpled from the pressure of his grip.

A heavy thought pressed against his mind. Was his delay the reason the people were now being attacked?

Kael had sent the letter nearly half an hour ago. Yet he had wasted time. He had delayed informing Aeron.

His jaw tightened.

Aeron stepped away from the table, his robe brushing lightly against the marble floor. "What about Kael?" he asked sharply. "Are his men far from the border?"

The guard swallowed. "Yes, Prince Cassien. The enemy lured them deeper into their own territory."

Aeron frowned at those words. His eyes darkened slightly before he turned toward one of the elders seated along the table.

"Elder Kasier."

Kasier, the Minister of War and the sixth-ranked elder, slowly lifted his tired eyes. Dark bags rested heavily beneath them, proof of sleepless nights and constant preparation.

"Are there more guards left within the pack?" Aeron asked.

Kasier shook his head. "There are about a thousand remaining within the territory."

A murmur spread lightly among the elders.

Kasier then turned to the guard. "Do you know how many enemies have infiltrated?"

The guard’s hands began to shake. Slowly, his gaze lifted—yet instead of answering, he stared at Theron, who had remained silent the entire time.

Aeron noticed the exchange.

His eyes shifted toward his brother. "Theron," he said evenly. "Do you know something?"

Theron flinched slightly, snapping out of his thoughts.

He lifted his head and looked at Aeron. The dullness was still in his brother’s eyes, but now something darker lingered beneath it.

The elders were all staring at him. Some had deep frowns etched onto their faces. Others looked impatient, waiting for him to speak.

He could not hide the letter any longer.

Without a word, he stepped forward and handed it to Aeron before moving back.

Aeron took the letter and unfolded it. His eyes scanned through the contents. As he read, the color slowly drained from his face.

Elder Kasier leaned forward slightly. "What does the letter say?"

Aeron lowered the paper. His gaze shifted to Theron.

"The enemy entered our Pack more than an hour ago," he said coldly.

The words caused immediate chaos within the Council Hall. The elders began speaking over one another, their voices rising in panic.

One elder stood abruptly. "My family lives on the outskirts of the Pack. I do not know their condition. I must leave immediately."

Another rose from his seat. "I cannot remain here. The succession must be postponed to another day."

The hall grew louder.

Aeron’s voice cut through the noise. "Guard!"

The guard straightened instantly.

"Leave this hall and inform every guard you see to hold the enemy back as much as possible."

"Yes, Prince Cassien ."

Aeron then faced Kaiser. "We must not let them reach the second wall."

"Understood, Aeron," Kasier replied firmly.

The remaining elders did not wait any longer. Chairs scraped loudly against the marble floor as they rushed out of the Council Hall, their robes sweeping behind them in urgency.

Kasier rose as well. Before leaving, his tired eyes shifted toward Theron. He shook his head once in quiet disappointment before turning away.

Soon, only Aeron and Theron remained.

The heavy doors closed with a dull thud. Silence filled the vast hall.

Aeron stood still for a moment before asking, "Why was the letter delayed?"

Theron’s expression did not change. "You were the one who asked me to escort Seren to Elowen," he replied calmly.

Aeron remained quiet. His gaze lingered on his brother for a few seconds before he began walking toward the exit.

His steps were steady.

Before reaching the door, he spoke without turning back. "You are no longer favorable in the elders’ eyes."

Theron’s fingers tightened slightly at his sides.

"You should fix that quickly," Aeron continued. "Before you lose their favor completely. The evaluation is near."

The doors opened.

Aeron stepped out, leaving Theron alone in the silent hall.

Theron clicked his tongue in silent protest.

His eyes lifted and settled on the Alpha seat. The chair stood tall and untouched, yet it suddenly felt distant.

Outside the tall windows, maids walked along the courtyard, carrying baskets and linens. Their soft chatter echoed faintly through the open space. They were going about their duties, oblivious to what was happening on the outskirts of the Pack.

Theron’s jaw tightened.

Meanwhile, Aeron moved quickly toward the second wall. Guards stepped aside the moment they saw him. He did not slow down until he reached the watchtower.

Climbing the steps, he emerged at the top.

A soft breeze brushed against his face, but the sun beating down on his skin felt scorching. It felt as though he was standing in flames.

He narrowed his eyes and scanned the distance carefully, searching for any abnormalities.

Then he saw it.

Black smoke rising into the sky.

Far away, figures were running toward the second wall. As they advanced, buildings were set ablaze behind them. Flames swallowed rooftops and thick smoke curled upward.

People fled in terror, screaming as they ran. Some escaped.

The unlucky ones were caught and blades flashed in the sunlight.

Bodies fell.

Aeron’s expression darkened as the chaos unfolded before his eyes.