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Thick clouds rolled across the sky as though the heavens themselves foresaw the impending carnage as a storm developed above Thornwood. The smell of conflict, desperation, and something inevitable filled the air as the wind howled through the tall trees.

With his golden eyes scanning the assembled men, Orion stood in the center of his war camp. Behind them were rows of tents, the fading light of torches barely piercing the gathering darkness. Hardened, merciless, and unflinching, his troops waited in silence, their breaths mingling in the chilly air.

"We move at dawn," Orion said in a low growl that sliced like a dagger across the silence. "The rebels believe they have a chance against us because of their weak coalition. However, Thornwood is not one of them. I own it.

There was a wave of agreement among the fighters gathered, but Orion was not searching for platitudes. He want clarity.

He went on, "We've crushed every attempt to take what is ours," as he paced in front of them with precise, measured movements. "We have the one thing they lack: ruthlessness. We also have more fighters and better defenses. Without a doubt, we shall confront Thalia and Ryker with steel in our hands, even though they may arrive with fire in their hearts.

"Alpha Orion." A towering, broad-shouldered warrior stepped forward as a rough voice pierced the atmosphere. With his silver-streaked dark beard and his seasoned eyes, Gideon was one of Orion's most trusted enforcers. "The scouts came back. The rebels aren't marching tonight, but they are getting ready for an attack. They are aware of our readiness.

With a mumbled "Then they’re cautious," Orion rubbed his teeth. "That makes them predictable." His eyes shifted to the other leaders present—his war commanders, his most formidable fighters, the people who would secure his triumph. "We won't be passive like prey. We will remind them whose territory they are standing on if they feel they have the upper hand.

A woman wearing heavy armor with her auburn hair coiled into braids entered the torchlight. The tactician he had learned to trust, Lenora, folded her arms. "You want to strike before they do?"

A sardonic smile curved Orion's lips. "I want to remind them why they should never have challenged me."

The battle camp was filled with a murmur, a change in energy. Anticipation crackled like an impending storm as the soldiers awoke, their palms tightening on their rifles.

Gideon scowled. "They will fight like wolves cornered into a corner, even if we have a large number of people. We run the risk of falling into a trap if we push too quickly.

"And if we wait," Orion shot back, "we give them the opportunity to shift the balance of power on the battlefield." No. We strike first. Hard. before they anticipate it.

Lenora cocked her head in contemplation. "After that, we must make a calculated move. Ryker and Thalia have shown themselves to be more than a bother. They engender allegiance. If we breach that, we'll destroy their army before the fight even starts.

Orion's features broke into a slow, ruthless smile. "Then we take the fight to their leaders."

The connotation was obvious. The whispers increased in volume. Warriors looked at each other. Bloodthirsty people nodded. Others paused, considering the dangers.

A slender, keen-eyed soldier advanced. The voice of Riven, one of Thornwood's finest scouts, was calm. "We are aware of their camp locations. We could remove their leadership before the fight even begins if we hit their command tent.

Orion's eyes glowed with contentment. "Then we do exactly that."

Gideon looked at the soldiers who were waiting and let out a breath. Volunteers are needed. This strike will be accurate, swift, vicious, and error-free.

A number of warriors moved forward at once. One of them was Tobias, a silent murderer who had made his name in the shadows and had icy, cunning eyes. He responded, "Give me a small unit," in a gravelly voice. "We’ll make sure they never see the dawn."

Orion bowed his head. Whoever you need, take them. At midnight, make your move. And if you locate Ryker or Thalia?" His gaze grew gloomy. "Kill them."

The choice was made. The camp awoke with new vitality. Warriors moved, adjusting their armor and sharpening their blades. As tension increased, the air became heavier with the smell of steel.

As the warriors scattered to get ready, Lenora looked at Orion. "You’re confident this will work?"

Orion looked directly into her eyes. "I don't require assurance. I require outcomes. I'll still own Thornwood when the sun comes up.

After examining him for a while, the strategist nodded slowly. "Then I’ll make sure everything is in place."

Orion stood there, gazing out over the blacked-out terrain as she went off. His adversaries gathered somewhere beyond the trees, thinking they had a chance.

His throat rumbled with a deep laugh.

Soon enough, they would discover.

Then—

The night was broken by a howl in the distance.

Orion stopped breathing. He didn't have it.

His senses sharpened as his head snapped toward the darkness outside the camp. Then there was another roar, deeper, closer.

On the back of his neck, the hair stood up.

Then there was quiet.

Uncomfortable mutterings echoed among the fighters. Orion tightened his jaw. It wasn't an assault. Not quite yet. Something other, though, was observing.

A presence.

He gripped his sword's hilt more tightly.

He said, "Stay alert," his voice piercing the anxiety. "Whatever is out there, it’s already watching us."

Just past the treeline, a shadow appeared and vanished in a flash.

Orion's amber eyes squinted.

Allow them to arrive.

\---

As the camp was busy getting ready in the middle of the night, a lone man emerged from the shadows. Leading a group of his best fighters, Tobias checked the daggers at his waist and adjusted the straps of his armor. Behind him, each guy was picked for their accuracy—silent, lethal, and effective.

"The command tent will be heavily guarded," muttered Corvin, a wiry wolf who was one of his employees. "You sure about this?"

Tobias grinned, his eyes sparkling. "Aren’t you?"

Corvin sighed but remained silent.

They arrived at the camp's edge, where the shadowy woodland threatened them. Beyond, Thornwood extended, its paths twisting and perilous, but they were familiar with the terrain.

"Move in silence," Tobias made the command. "We hit hard. Without hesitation.

Like ghosts, they disappeared into the night as they crept into the trees.

With his arms folded and his eyes like molten gold, Orion watched them leave. He was capable of victory. He sensed it.

Then he heard a murmur of activity close to the forest line.

Out of the shadows, two silvery, shining eyes met his.

Not a wolf.

Something else.

The temperature dropped sharply. It was in Orion's bones.

Then, almost as fast as it seemed—

The figure has vanished.

Orion felt a twinge of uneasiness for the first time in years.

Something was coming.

But he would not be the one to fall.

Not tonight.