“I know.” I lifted my chin, the Rustpire legacy settling on my shoulders like armor. “A Rustpire always finishes what they start.”
“How has the pack been? What’s happening in the territory?” I leaned back on the fur-lined couch, ready to hear everything I’d missed.
Mother and Father exchanged a sharp, heavy look. The air in the den seemed to chill.
“What?” My gaze flicked between them. “What happened?”
Father’s jaw tensed. He strode to the rune-etched drink cabinet and poured himself a measure of ember-whiskey. “The Wintermoon Pack.”
My heart dropped. The Wintermoons had been our oldest rival clan. “What about them?”
“They’ve risen in strength,” Mother said tightly. “Far more than before.”
“How? Last time I was here, they were barely holding their borders—”
“Sorenna Wintermoon bonded with Alaric Rageclaw six moons ago.” Father downed the drink in one swallow. “The Rageclaw Clan supports them now.”
Color drained from my face. The Rageclaws dominated half the New Lycan. “You’re telling me they merged?”
“Not just merged.” Mother’s fingers twisted her moon-pearl necklace. “They’re united. One force. And they’re setting their sights on us, Isolde. All the signs point to it.”
“Alaric isn’t just brawn,” Father added, placing the empty glass down with a sharp thud. “He’s tactical and genius. And Sorenna…” He exhaled. “She’s more ruthless than her father ever dreamed of being. Together, they’re dangerous.”
I leaned forward, pulse quickening. “How serious is it?”
“They’ve already claimed the Molthaven Teritory,” Mother whispered. “Three of our oldest allied packs have pledged loyalty to them. We’re losing land. Wolves. Influence...”
“Moon above.” I dragged a hand through my hair. The Molthaven Pack had stood untouched for decades. If they fell… “Why did you never call me? Tell me things were collapsing?”
“We wanted you to have peace,” Mother said softly. “After what happened with…” She stopped, not want me hearing his name.
“You had walked in a different direction,” Father murmured, refilling his glass with slower, steadier movements. “You sought your own life. Who were we to drag you back?”
I breathed hard. “I’m still part of the pack.”
“Of course, you are,” Father said, pride flickering in his eyes. “That’s why I knew you’d return when the time was right. Rustpire blood doesn’t fade.”