Syri's gut felt sick with worry as he rode farther and farther away from Jae. The zeta turned around to see the true blood and alpha shift into their wolves before racing away from the castle and toward the source of the cries.

What is going on, Ajax? Syri pushed his thoughts to the vorst in frantic inquiry over the situation that had just risen.

There appears to be a disturbance at the border with Eternal Dawn. Several have lost their lives.

Syri's brows furrowed at the vorst's response. At the border with Eternal Dawn? That doesn't make any sense. Eternal Dawn would never... Syri clenched his jaw, and rage toward those who attached Crimson Night boiled within him. Get me to the palace as swiftly as you can. There's something that is not right with all of this.

Ajax released a sharp huff as he increased his speed. Time was of the utmost importance, and everyone had to act accordingly. Syri continued to rack his brain as he pondered over every little detail he had heard, seen, and smelled within the past few hours.

Crimson Night had just begun to build its new order and no longer had the added presence of the visiting packs. They were more vulnerable than they had been in several decades. This attack was no coincidence; it had to have been planned and orchestrated very carefully.

Eternal Dawn was the pack that Crimson Night was closest with. Never in a thousand years did anyone in Crimson Night even fathom Eternal Dawn would attack. Despite what the facts were telling Syri, he knew there was something else, something more that was hidden in the shadows...someone who had remained behind the scenes and was directing the attack.

Syri's heart hurt for those who had lost their lives at the northern border. He knew Jae was doing his best to reach the affected area and stop the assault, but he could not stop the pain and anger he felt when he thought of those who invaded their land with the sole intention of killing as many as possible until aid arrived. Syri closed his eyes and lifted an urgent prayer to the moon goddess begging her to give Jae the speed he needed to reach the border in time and save his pack.

After a few minutes, Ajax raced through the southern gate and up to the front steps of the castle where he came to a stop and allowed Syri to safely dismount. Thank you for your efforts. Syri bowed to the vorst before hurrying into the castle. Once inside, Syri asked the first worker he saw if he knew the whereabouts of the Prime Luna.

"She is in the council's hall," the worker promptly responded after bowing to the zeta.

"Thank you." Syri returned the worker's bow before rushing down the entry hall and quickly making his way to the Hall of the Council. Through his days studying and preparing to stand by Jae's side, Syri had conquered his sense of direction when in the palace for the most part, so he was able to arrive at the corridor that led to the hall with ease. The guard stationed before the door to the council's hall immediately opened it as the zeta approached him and allowed Syri to promptly enter.

Syri scoped out the hall to find several people standing around a large, circular table. Max, the lieutenant who helped Syri find the Sigma's Hall when Calix had lost his fated mate, was one of the soldiers who had been called to the emergency meeting. Locking gaze with the zeta as Syri approached the table, Max's eyes widened, and he tilted his head in silent greeting. Syri returned the nod as he continued to scan his eyes over the people at the table in search of the Prime Luna.

Finding Armina standing in between a council member and a high-ranking soldier, Syri slowed his steps as he neared the Prime Luna and came to stand just behind her to the right. The Prime Luna's arms were crossed over her chest, and her brows were furrowed in deep concentration. She was looking at a map that had been spread over the table displaying the land of Crimson Night as well as the packs that bordered its territory. Noticing the arrival of the zeta, Armina turned to Syri and smiled softly before asking, "Any news from Jae?"

Syri bowed to the Prime Luna as she stepped to the left to allow Syri to walk up to the table and stand beside her before answering, "He is on his way to the border to assess the situation. Yejin, Kace, and the guards are accompanying him."

"Good. Let's hope they reach the area before more blood is spilled." Turning to the council, Armina stated, "No official declaration of war has been received, and the assaulter has yet to be identified."

"Is it not clear who is responsible?" One of the council members spoke up, drawing everyone's attention. "The attack is happening on our border with Eternal Dawn."

"That does not necessarily mean Eternal Dawn is the one behind the attack," Armina returned. The Prime Luna waited until she had everyone present's attention before continuing, "Any pack or rogue group could have sent a party to the border to draw suspicion to Eternal Dawn and thus evade the consequences which will surely be dealt to them once the true culprit has been discovered." Several of the council members nodded their heads in agreement. It would be foolish to act too hastily regarding the decision of who was responsible.

"Until the Alpha returns from the border, we shall increase security and patrol around the palace. Alert all workers and the surrounding villages; we are activating our defensive protocols." The soldiers present sounded "Ae!" with a bow of their heads as they accepted Armina's command. Turning to Syri, Armina said, "*Ante Luna, I have called for the aid of the Pann. They will arrive within a day's time and will be tasked with your safety."

The council members' eyes widened at Armina addressing Syri as "Ante Luna", but no one dared to utter even a sound in disapproval. Syri was also taken aback by Armina's action, but he quickly recovered when he recalled that Jae had officially asked for his hand and that he, in fact, was the Ante Luna. Syri had trained for this position tirelessly, so he decided to wear it with pride and kept his chin high as he replied to Armina. "Thank you, Prime Luna, for your consideration."

Syri was, quite frankly, shocked that Armina would go to the lengths of engaging the Pann to protect him. The League of the Pann were notorious for not entangling themselves with the affairs of royalty or pack order, so their involvement in the safety protocols slightly confused Syri. But he was in no position to argue with Armina. He personally thought a group of Pann was overkill; they were too skilled to be stuck in the castle protecting him. Syri did appreciate Armina's thoughtfulness and determination to keep him safe, however.

The remainder of the meeting consisted of Armina and Syri going over the defensive protocols with the captains and lieutenants before preparing messages to be sent out through the pack link. The sun had risen by the time the meeting had come to an end and those present dispersed to tend to their newly appointed duties. Armina and Syri were exiting the council's hall together when Armina's brows lifted, and she turned to Syri with an impressed expression. "The Pann have arrived," Armina informed Syri, who also donned an impressed look.

Following the Prime Luna through the palace and to the front hall, Armina motioned for the guards to open the doors before she and Syri stepped out onto the platform before the great entry doors. Before them stood four pann. Their masks had been removed and tied to hang from the side of their waistbelts in a sign of respect to the Prime and Ante Lunas.

"Thank you for your prompt arrival," Armina greeted the small group gratefully. "I understand the request was given at such short notice. Your presence is much appreciated. Let me introduce you to the Ante Luna, Syri," Armina motioned to the male standing beside her, and the pann turned their gaze to the zeta before bowing respectfully.

"Good morning, Ante Luna," the pann leading the group greeted Syri respectfully. Syri's face lit up when he recognized the pann. He was the wolf who helped Syri find his way out of Gern after he had undergone his heat and was alone with Ajax. "I am Reem, Captain of the Pann. My companions are Haikon, Xander, and Brenton."

At the mention of the rho, Syri's face paled, and he turned his gaze to the man standing behind Reem. And there, in front of him, stood Brenton with wide hazel eyes and parted lips.

*Ante Luna – Term for the wolf who is to become Luna and is betrothed to the Alpha.

Ante Alpha – Term for the wolf who is to become Alpha and is betrothed to the Luna.