Page 32 of When Two Worlds Collide

“Us. Our connection. Perhaps it’s not a mistake or curse. Perhaps it serves a purpose.”

Her suggestion impacts me profoundly. Could the Moon Goddess have created this impossible bond deliberately?

Before I can respond, commotion erupts outside. Shouts, growls, running footsteps. I push through the tent opening with Ember following.

In the camp center, Marcus confronts a group of council guards—ten armed personnel, led by a tall man with auburn hair and gold-flecked eyes unmistakably similar to Ember’s.

Kade Steelclaw has arrived for his sister.

My warriors form a protective circle. Cubs and elders retreat to shelters. Marcus stands at the front, visibly restraining aggression.

“Kade!” Ember rushes past me toward her brother.

Kade’s expression transforms from fury to relief. “Ember. Are you injured?”

“A minor silver burn. Nothing serious.” She positions herself between the groups. “Why are you here?”

“Councilor Thorne informed me you warned the wolves. When you didn’t return, I feared the worst.”

“The battle wounded me. Their healer treated me.”

“Battle?” Kade narrows his eyes. “You fought against settlers?”

“They attacked cubs and elders, Kade.”

I step forward beside Ember, close enough that our combined scent becomes obvious to any shifter.

“Steelclaw. Your sister warned us of the impending attack at significant personal risk. She defended my pack against unprovoked violence. She has our gratitude.”

Kade inhales, detecting our mingled scent. His expression shifts from surprise to understanding to controlled neutrality. “Alpha Blackthorn. I appreciate your... attention... toward my sister. But we must return to the council immediately. Emergency session addresses this incident.”

“The settlers attacked us,” Marcus states. “Our traditions determine their punishment.”

“The council will determine appropriate consequences.”

“Not within our territory. The attack occurred here. Our justice applies.”

“After proper interrogation,” Ember adds. “We’ve agreed to question suspects together to identify who organized this attack.”

Kade looks between us. “Together.”

“Yes. This affects both our peoples. We must collaborate to prevent derailing peace negotiations.”

“The peace negotiations may already be compromised,” Kade says grimly. “Another incident occurred. The Mountain Bear clan attacked a logging camp in eastern territories. Forty-three dead.”

I absorb this information with shock. Forty-three dead. Ridge Stormcrow escalating beyond border disputes to outright massacre.

“When?” I demand.

“Last night. Concurrent with this attack. The council suspects coordination.”

“Impossible. My pack maintains no contact with Mountain Bears.”

“Not your pack specifically,” Kade clarifies. “But wild clans generally. The theory suggests emerging clans coordinate attacks.”

“Ridiculous. Mountain Bears would slaughter us as readily as settlers. Ridge Stormcrow respects no boundaries except his own.”

“I believe you,” Ember says. “But the council needs to hear this directly from you, Zane.”

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