verberated through her mind. Asher, the Alpha of the Waterfall Pack, leading the charge against her kingdom. She had expected violence, but the shock

gather reinforcements. Her soldiers, the bravest and fiercest warriors, would be disp

Was it a strategic move? Was it a message? O

man who stirred something inside her she couldn't control. The very idea of him, leading an assault on her land, felt like a

e distracted by emotions-by the faint hope of something

ound that sent a chill up her spine. Her thoughts cut t

decisive strokes, her mind sharpening as she planned her next move. The Waterfall Pack had breached her defenses, but she woul

e strategized. Her soldiers were strong, trained for these types of incursions. They would

he

n appearance of Alden in the doorway. His

low with urgency. "You must come quickly

wed in confusion.

ants you there, to discuss the Waterfall Pack's movements. But I fear..." He hesitated

d advisors, but it was also a forum of competing ambitions and power struggles. Runa knew how fragile the balance was, how dangerous i

e firm. "But make no mistake, Alden-

s and knew better than anyone the fine line Runa had to walk between diplomacy and dut

o stranger to the politics of the royal court, but the pressure was mounting in a way she hadn't anticipated. The Waterfall Pac

hat awaited her. The heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the circle of advisors and nobles gathe

man who had spent his entire life fighting to protect his kingdom, but his vision of the future was one of control. He had always expected Runa to follow in his foots

armth. "We must act swiftly. The Waterfall Pack's incursion i

of whom had never seen war firsthand. They were scholars, diplomats, and strategists-but none of them understoo

ed, her tone steady but with an underl

ropose that we meet the Waterfall Pack head-on. We rally the armies and prepare for a full

-a quick, brutal solution to any threat. But she knew that war was never that simp

ce ringing through the hall. "T

d several of the council members exchanged uneasy glances. Runa st

ll lose our very people. If we want to defeat the Waterfall Pack, we must be smarter than this. We must un

the table. "And what would you have us do, Runa?" he a

t. We find out why Asher is leading the charge. We can't afford to make assu

ground. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, a steady rhythm

are the Queen of Light, Runa. And you will do what is necessary to prot

ed with unspoken determination. "But I will do s