If the victory feast weeks ago had been rowdy, the news of the upcoming royal twins had turned the great hall of Bloodmoon into an outright, chaotic carnival.
The rafters surrendered under the weight of newly strung crimson and silver flower garlands. Whole roasted cows turned slowly over the central hearth pits, draft ale flowed like a river, and half the pack's senior officers were already arm-wrestling on the head tables before the sun had fully set.
At the center of the royal dais, Diego sat stiffly in his chair, looking like a man who was simultaneously the proudest Alpha in the world and deeply regretting letting Miguel make a speech.
"To the future Alpha and Luna!" Miguel bellowed, standing on top of his bench, a glass of wine held high in his right hand. "May the first pup inher
