#Chapter 62 – Contingence Plan

Ethan's POV The night was unusually quiet, the kind that made my wolf uneasy. I sat at my desk, a stack of Council documents untouched as something prickled at the edges of my focus. Marlus had stationed warriors at every entrance after Aiden’s capture, but the gnawing feeling that something was off refused to let me rest. My wolf paced within me, low growls echoing in my chest. Trouble. He whispered through my mind. A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts, and Marlus stepped in, his expression grim. “Couldn’t sleep either?” he asked without preamble. I nodded. “Something like that. Where are we with the night patrols?” “Rotating as planned,” Marlus replied, stepping closer. “But I’ve ordered tighter formations. If Aiden’s got any loose ends, they’re not slipping past us tonight.” The words had barely left his mouth when a muffled commotion reached us from down the hall. My wolf surged to attention, every muscle in my body tensing. Marlus exchanged a sharp glan