Dragoncrest Cliffs Lights up on Washington Heights

Although she preferred to spend as much time as possible with her mate and children, Wildfire knew she also needed to reintegrate into the larger social circle of the pack. She had met Blixen's friend, Furi, and now it was time to begin familiarizing herself with the other strangers in the ranks. There was even a name at the very top of her list: Étoille. The commander had mentioned his role in the war. He had deliberately set foot in that horrid forest and rubbed shoulders with the same wolves who had nearly killed her, all for Drageda's benefit.

She was thinking about this—and doing her best to stifle a shudder—as she loped through the redwoods, a fat ground squirrel jammed in her teeth. Wildfire finally tracked him down by scent, approaching from the rear and dropping the game to announce her presence with a light bark. Even before he turned, Wildfire could see the fresh scars. She could no longer suppress the shiver that quaked through her body from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail.