CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY NINE – BATTLE OF THE PACK

It was a quiet afternoon at Ivan's shop when Cassie stumbled upon something that would change everything. She was sorting through a box of old books in the back room when a slip of paper fluttered to the floor. Curious, she picked it up and unfolded it. Her blood ran cold as she read the cryptic message: "The wolf prowls closer. The moon rises in three days. Be ready." Cassie's hands trembled as she reread the note. This had to be from Karl's spies. And if it was here, in Ivan's shop... She quickly pocketed the note and finished her shift, her mind racing. As soon as she was done, she rushed to find Florian and Maxwell. She found them at Maxwell's house, pouring over maps of the surrounding area. They looked up as she burst in, breathless and wide-eyed. "Cassie? What's wrong?" Florian asked, immediately concerned. Wordlessly, Cassie pulled out the note and handed it to Maxwell. His eyes narrowed as he read it, then passed it to Florian. "Where did you find this?" Maxwell demand