Smoke was visible even before the smell of burning reached them.
The western sky was a deep gray, not from a storm but from uncontrollably blazing fire.
North Ridge had just returned from the north when the news arrived.
"The western territory is burning!" shouted a guard who came gasping for breath. "Three small villages destroyed the wolves blame rogues!"
Darius stood up immediately. "Rogues who refused to join?"
"Unclear!" the guard replied. "But the news has spread. They say the Sovereign is bringing chaos!"
Silence fell over the stone hall.
Lucien turned to Aurelia. "Council."
She did not answer. But her gaze was enough.
Cassian quickly unfurled a new report from the western Alpha. "The fires appeared almost simultaneously at three points. Too coordinated for wild rogues."
Alaric crossed his arms over his chest. "This is provocation."
Darius growled lowly. "They're burning their own territory to frame you."
Aurelia stared at the distant fire from the stone balcony.
