The coldness in his voice cut deep. This was the same wolf who had once brought me warm healer's broth on winter nights, who had fussed over whether I was eating enough. Now he looked at me like I was a trespasser.
I swallowed the hurt and forced my voice steady. "I need to speak with Alaric Ravenhart. Let me pass."
"The master has already retired for the night. Return tomorrow."
I glanced at the position of the moon—barely past its first quarter rise. The night was young. Most wolves my age would just be beginning their evening hunts. Yet he had already gone to rest?
His habits were exactly like Uncle Fenris's. The same elder's schedule in a young wolf's body.
I stood vigil at the gates through the long cold hours. When dawn light finally crept across the snow, Alaric Ravenhart emerged in Uncle Fenris's personal transport—the sleek, rune-marked carriage that had always carried my uncle to council meetings.
I stepped directly into his path.
"Alaric Ravenhart. I can prove you are not the lawful successor. Come with me to see Elder Eamon—now."
Alaric regarded me with an expression caught somewhere between amusement and something else I couldn't name. To my surprise, he nodded without argument.
"Very well. I'm curious to see what proof you think you have."
We traveled to Elder Eamon's den. The moment we arrived, I couldn't contain myself.
"Elder Eamon, do you know that Uncle Fenris left his entire territory to this wolf?" I pointed at Alaric, my voice rising. "The blood-oath recording doesn't show you present. Tell me the truth—it's forged, isn't it? He coerced Uncle Fenris into this. That has to be what happened!"
Elder Eamon stared at me with undisguised bewilderment.
"I know about it, pup. Your uncle told me everything himself." He shifted his weight, and I noticed for the first time the healing wrappings around his leg. "I was supposed to attend the ceremony as witness, but there was an ambush on the territory road. My leg was shattered. Before the healers put me under for the bone-setting, I recorded a Moon-witness statement confirming the change. Did they not show it to you?"
I stood frozen, staring at the bandages.
Elder Eamon retrieved the recording. It was brief—just a few sentences—but his voice was clear and his words left no room for doubt. The revised blood-oath will was genuine.
My mind went blank.