Chapter 7 - Fire and Frost
Though Morgran was defeated, a faction of rogue mercenaries hired by Pine Hollow's hidden sympathizers launched a desperate night raid on Blackwood Keep, hoping to assassinate Grace and capture the dire wolves for ransom.
The alarm horns blared through the dark winter night.
Grace bolted upright in her bedchamber, quickly dressing in tactical leathers and securing her mother's brown cloak around her shoulders. She grabbed a silver-hilted dagger from the bedside table as heavy footsteps echoed outside her door.
The door splintered inward. Two rogue mercenaries rushed into the room, blades drawn.
Before Grace could strike, a massive white dire wolf—the smallest pup she had rescued in the snow—lunged from the shadows, tackling the first intruder to the floor with bone-crushing force. The second mercenary lunged at Grace, but she ducked swiftly, using her agility—honed by years of surviving abuse and hard labor in Pine Hollow—to drive her dagger cleanly into his shoulder.
The door burst open again, revealing Alexander covered in ash and snow, his sword dripping with blood. His eyes scanned the room instantly, locking onto Grace.
"Are you hurt?" he demanded, rushing to her side and pulling her into his arms.
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"I'm fine," Grace panted, pressing her face against his chest. "The pups handled themselves."
Alexander looked down at the transformed dire wolves, who stood proudly over the defeated intruders. "They are protecting their queen," he said softly, kissing the top of Grace's head. "Just as I will, for the rest of my days."
