Chapter 26: The Gathering Storm
The death of Jax was a stone thrown into the stagnant pond of pack politics, and the ripples spread far and wide. For three days, Silverfang Keep operated under a state of tense, grim readiness. Kael's public declaration of Jax's treason and the "justice" delivered had quelled immediate internal dissent, but the external repercussions were just beginning.
The first sign came from the Crimson Paw. Silas, enraged by the violation of his territory and the loss of his secret ally, didn't launch a full-scale attack. He was too cunning for that. Instead, he unleashed a campaign of vicious, targeted strikes. A Silverfang supply convoy was ambushed and burned on the northern trade route. Two sentries posted on the border were found with their throats slit, Crimson Paw daggers left in their chests as a signature. It was a war of attrition, of a thousand cuts, designed to bleed Silverfang slowly and sow fear.
