My phone sits on the desk where I left it last night, screen full of notifications. Three messages from Wyn, all marked urgent. I unlock the device and pull up the first one.
New intelligence on Thornridge movements. Review attached files and get back to me.
The attached reports make my stomach drop.
Thornridge has been conducting systematic surveillance of all three major territories in the valley. Not just Grayhide with its Amanzite reserves, but Ambersky and Llewelyn as well. The pattern suggests they’re mapping defenses, identifying weak points, and preparing for something much larger than isolated kidnapping attempts.
I pull up the second message. More surveillance photos show Thornridge operatives near Llewelyn borders. Not just scouting parties, but what looks like advanced reconnaissance teams. The kind you send when you’re planning an operation that requires detailed knowledge of terrain and patrol patterns.
The third message contains Wyn’s analysis, and it’s worse than I thought.
Pattern matches pre-invasion tactics from historical conflicts. They’re not just after Amanzite. They want a staging ground for long-term operations. Llewelyn territory makes strategic sense. They’re isolated from the main alliance, and they have a matriarchal structure that they could exploit andan emotional disconnect that limits coordination with allies. Plus whatever they know about the curse.
I fall back in my chair and stare at the ceiling. Thornridge knows about the curse. Has to, based on how they targeted Sera. A pack full of women who can’t form deep emotional bonds or trust easily would be vulnerable to infiltration. Their suppressors could cut off the wolf-human connection that provides strength and coordination in combat.
A territory where pack members struggle to work together effectively would be easy to conquer and perfect for launching attacks on Grayhide’s Amanzite reserves.
I start drafting a report for Oren, documenting the surveillance patterns and strategic implications. My fingers fly across the keyboard as I outline the threat assessment and potential defensive measures. We need to increase patrols along Llewelyn borders and coordinate security with Matriarch Lydia despite her pack’s traditional isolation.
Need to make sure Sera understands just how much danger her people are in.
“You fell asleep on the couch.”
I nearly jump out of my skin. Sera stands in the doorway with the blanket wrapped around her shoulders like a cape. Her hair is tangled in directions that shouldn’t be endearing but absolutely are. Sleep marks crease one cheek, and she’s squinting at me like the morning sun is too much to handle.
“I was working,” I explain. “Research doesn’t keep regular hours.”
“Don’t I know it.” She walks into the study and peers at my computer screen. “What’s that?”
“Intelligence reports from Wyn. Seems there’s been Thornridge activity near your territory.”
Her whole body goes rigid. “Show me.”
I pull up the surveillance photos and watch her face as she studies them. The color drains from her cheeks more with each image.
“That’s the eastern border.” She points to one photo. “Near the exchange station where we process visitors. And that’s the northern patrol route. They’ve mapped our entire defensive perimeter.”
“Looks that way.”
“Why? We don’t have Amanzite. We don’t have anything they’d want.” She wraps the blanket tighter around herself. “Unless…”
“Unless they want a staging ground for operations against Grayhide,” I finish the thought she can’t quite voice. “A territory that’s isolated from the main alliance. Where pack members struggle to coordinate because of emotional disconnect. Where suppressors could exploit weakened wolf-human bonds.”
“Because of the curse,” she muses. “They’re targeting my pack because we’re vulnerable in ways other territories aren’t.”
“That’s my assessment, yes.”
She sinks into the chair across from my desk. The blanket pools around her like she’s drowning in fabric. “My aunt needs to know. The council needs to mobilize defenses.”
“Wyn’s coordinating with Oren to arrange a meeting. All three pack leaders are discussing joint security measures.” I close the laptop before she can see more of the grim details. “They’ll handle the strategic response. Our job is figuring out how to break the curse so your pack isn’t vulnerable anymore.”
“Our job. When did this become our job instead of just mine?”
“You’re my mate. Keeping you safe is more important than anything else. Besides, your pack’s survival is tangled up with mine.”
The admission is too much like admitting I care about her more than I should after less than a week.
Her phone goes off, and she pulls it out of her pocket before she reads the screen, and I watch her face carefully mask whatever she’s feeling.
