Fergus returned, his expression somber. I could tell by the way he walked into the room that he had bad news. He closed the door behind him and stood at attention, flanked by two guards.
"Alpha," he began, "I've investigated everyone under the Dark Moon and Winter Moon Packs. They're clear—loyal to the core. But the Crescent Moon Pack... we've got a problem."
I narrowed my eyes. "Who?"
"Four individuals stand out: Beta Lucas, Gamma Lyle, Head Warrior Marcus, and Elder Cornelius." Fergus paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "But Cornelius is the most suspicious. He's been meeting someone in secret, regularly leaving the pack grounds."
"Where?" I asked, my voice cold.
"There's a clearing near the old ruins, on the outskirts of the forest," Fergus explained. "He's scheduled to head out soon."
