Chapter 18-The Message In The Forest
The war council gathered before noon.
Blackridge's main strategy hall filled quickly with warriors, scouts, and senior pack members as word of Marcus's message spread through the territory.
Emily stood near the large map table in the center of the room, arms crossed as Rowan finished explaining the scout reports.
"Bloodfang camp is still east of the quarry," Rowan said.
"About two miles outside our territory line."
Jay leaned over the map.
"How many wolves?"
"Scouts counted twelve."
Emily frowned.
"That's not enough to attack a territory."
Jay nodded.
"Which means Marcus isn't attacking yet."
Rowan glanced toward Emily.
"He's waiting for her."
Emily rolled her eyes.
"I'm starting to feel very popular."
No one laughed.
Jay straightened.
"He's trying to draw us out."
Emily leaned over the table.
"Then we don't go."
Jay looked at her.
"What?"
"He wants us reacting emotionally."
Jay's gaze sharpened.
"Go on."
Emily tapped the map.
"If Marcus thinks I'll run toward the threat..."
She looked up.
"...he doesn't know me very well."
Rowan chuckled.
"Already thinking like an Alpha."
Emily pointed at him.
"Don't start."
Jay's expression softened slightly.
Then Rowan cleared his throat.
"There's one more thing."
Jay turned.
"What."
The Beta placed something small on the table.
A silver pendant.
Emily's breath caught.
"That's mine."
Jay looked sharply at her.
"You lost it?"
Emily shook her head.
"No."
Her stomach twisted.
"I left it in Moonfall."
Rowan nodded grimly.
"Scout found it tied to the border stone."
Silence fell across the room.
Jay's voice turned dangerous.
"Marcus went to Moonfall."
Emily felt her pulse spike.
"He was there."
The room suddenly felt smaller.
Because that meant Marcus had already crossed into Moonfall territory.
Already taken something from her home.
Jay picked up the pendant carefully.
The metal glinted under the lantern light.
Marcus hadn't just sent a threat.
He had sent proof.
Jay looked at Emily.
"Marcus is escalating."
Emily took the pendant back slowly.
Her wolf stirred again.
Anger.
Bright.
Sharp.
She closed her fist around the metal.
"Good."
Jay blinked.
"You keep saying that."
Emily met his gaze.
"Because now it's personal."
Jay studied her for a moment.
Then nodded once.
"Yes."
Rowan glanced between them.
"So what's the plan?"
Jay looked down at the map again.
Then back at Emily.
And for the first time since the war had started...
He smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"We go hunting."
Emily's pulse jumped.
"You're serious."
Jay nodded.
"Marcus thinks he's hunting you."
Emily felt the silver energy inside her rise again.
"Well..."
Her wolf stirred eagerly.
"...he's about to learn he picked the wrong prey."
The war had officially begun.