First Passage (Ella):

I stare at Henry in disbelief, my conversation with my impossible sister instantly forgotten. "You found her?" I gasp, instinctively reaching for Cora's hand. Her warm palm closes over mine, squeezing tightly.

"It wasn't easy," Henry admits, stepping further into the room. "I contacted every surviving contact I could think of, to no avail. Then I checked news archives from that time—they reported extensively on the King's death and Reina's departure. They all said the same thing: she was devoting herself to the Goddess, but none knew where she was going to serve."

"So how did you figure it out?" Cora asks, her voice as excited as mine.

"I followed the money," Henry explains, his statement so vague and clichéd I almost scream with impatience. "I had one of Gabriel's computer forensic specialists hack into the royal banking records back in Moon Valley. Luckily, Damon hadn't destroyed the financial archives from that period." He adds eagerly, "He discovered that Queen Reina purchased a one-way ticket to the Altaran Islands just before the King's death."

"The Altaran Islands?" I ask, struggling to recall the name.

"They're a remote archipelago between the Hidden Territories and the Royal Continent," Henry explains. "So remote that all but the largest island are uninhabited. And the largest island is home to only one thing: the most sacred temple known to shifters. It's considered so hallowed that pilgrimages are forbidden; only the most devout and worthy priests and priestesses are permitted to serve there."

I press my hand to my racing heart. "So Reina wouldn't be going there unless she intended to devote herself as a priestess."

"Exactly," Henry smiles. "And the fact that she was even allowed to go indicates her journey was Goddess-blessed."

"So how do we get there? How long will it take?" I ask, my blood thrumming.

"By ship," Henry says, frowning slightly. "You can't fly in your third trimester, and I don't even know if there's air access. Reina traveled by boat, so you will too." He pauses meaningfully. "I have to warn you: Dominic won't like it. There are no doctors or hospitals, no resources if you encounter problems."

"Surely there are safer hands than the Goddess's," I retort, practically bouncing. "How long is the journey?"

Henry chuckles. "If I were you, I'd show a little more hesitation about the risks when you talk to your mate. But it will take no more than three days."

"That's amazing!" I exclaim, abandoning all pretense of calm and throwing my arms around my sister. "I can't believe you found her! I can't believe I'm going to meet her!"

Cora hugs me back, and I'm deeply moved when she murmurs, "I'm so happy for you, Elle."

"Henry, you should come with us!" I suggest, beaming. "You know Reina, and I couldn't ask for a better travel companion."

"Hey," Cora objects, offended.

"Except for Cora, but she's already coming," I amend, batting my lashes at my disgruntled sister.

To my surprise, Henry's face falls. "Yes, I know Reina," he says in a strained voice. "But to be honest, I'm not particularly eager to renew the acquaintance."

Immediately, I remember my birth father's role in the death of Henry's mate. I don't know if my mother was involved, but it's understandable why Henry would want to keep his distance. "Oh, Henry, I'm so sorry. That was thoughtless of me."

"Nonsense," he dismisses my apology, leaning forward to kiss my cheek. "Besides, Dominic needs me here—as an advisor. He's already arranged for you to have plenty of protection and company, and I think he's worried about being short-staffed." This is news to me, and I don't fully understand, but I can't bring myself to care right now.

"Have you told him the news yet?" I ask, hoping he has, so I don't have to.

"No," Henry grins, reading my sly expression. "That's up to you, little mother."

I nod, hugging him tightly. "Thank you so much, Henry."

Second Passage (Damon):

Damon stomped into his war room, his gaze sweeping over the scale model of the battlefronts on the center table. He growled in barely contained frustration, then, losing control, slashed his arm across the tiny wax figures representing the Southern border.

His troops had just reported another loss—to the humans, no less. Being routed by shifter resistance was one thing, but defeat by such inferior beings was an insult to injury. The furious emperor was ready to murder his war council, convinced they were as useful as corpses.

Ever since the Secrecy Pack broke, the humans had been an unforeseen complication. The same advisors who'd recommended sending his best troops to the Western front had warned him about the fallout, but who could have believed these neanderthals could mount a competent defense against his elite forces? Apparently, the weak creatures had been secretly investing in advanced weapons systems for years, and they hadn't hesitated to deploy them when faced with an existential threat.

For weeks, Damon had watched his forces dwindle under the combined assaults of shifter and human armies—the only saving grace being that the two sides hadn't united. He didn't particularly care about the deaths of his men—soldiers were cannon fodder—he had plenty more. The far greater problem was the impossible task of governing amidst the chaos of collapsing societies. He couldn't control any town or city beyond Moon Valley, especially since he'd dismantled every institution and power structure that might have imposed order.

He needed to end the fighting quickly, or the continent he'd seized would be worthless by the time he established his rule. Furthermore, he needed to deal with Sinclair's widow and unborn pup in Vanara. He was glad Sinclair was gone, but his widow remained a symbol of hope for the downtrodden, and her pup would likely become a formidable challenger.

Damon had been trying to contact his assassin in Vanara since Sinclair's death, but the wolf seemed to be avoiding him. Perhaps he'd found life in Vanara so enjoyable he no longer needed Damon's favor. Regardless, Damon needed an ally in the Hidden Territories. His resources were so strained he couldn't handle the coastal refugees, let alone send another spy across the border.

He decided to emulate Sinclair's strategy. Before they lost contact, his spy had revealed that Kieran, the Storm Forest Alpha, fiercely opposed allying with Sinclair. The Alpha, unlike some of his countrymen, understood that humans were little more than slave labor and made no secret of his opinion.

Damon felt a kinship with the fierce leader. He'd harbored these thoughts privately, but now things seemed truly desperate. He couldn't bear the burden of this fight alone. He'd considered Sinclair weak for seeking alliances, but perhaps the wolf had been more clever than he appeared.

It was time to act.

He found Kieran's number among his late father's documents and dialed, practically salivating. He held his breath as the line rang, praying Kieran would answer.

Finally, the ringing ceased. "Hello?" a gruff voice answered.

"Is this Alpha Kieran?" Damon asked, trying to control his excitement.

"It is," the voice replied, sounding suspicious. "And who have I the pleasure of speaking with?"

"Emperor Damon," he replied, savoring the title. "I have an offer for you—an opportunity to increase your power and protect your lands from the scourge of refugees and human scum."

Kieran considered this. The suspicion vanished, replaced by avid interest. "I'm listening."