(Caius)
The message arrived just after sunrise.
I was finishing breakfast when one of the gate guards entered the dining hall. He crossed directly to our table without hesitation and stopped beside me.
"Alpha Voss is at the northern gate."
The room went quiet.
Not because anyone was surprised.
Because everyone knew what his arrival meant.
I set my cup down and looked at the guard.
"How many?"
"Six vehicles."
I nodded once.
That sounded about right.
Voss rarely traveled alone. Not because he was afraid of anything. Because territory leaders attracted attention whether they wanted it or not.
The guard waited.
I stood.
"Bring them through."
"Yes, Alpha."
He turned immediately and headed back toward the entrance.
Across the table, Isla looked at me.
Neither of us spoke.
The
