Athena’s head snapped up. The war was beginning. She took a deep breath.
Now was the time. Sindri would rally. The Fire Queen of Sindri glanced down at her children. “Hellie, Asmodeus, Vryko. I have to go. I am leaving Soliel to take care of you.” She called her pack to her.
When the first wolves slowly trickled in, Athena began to speak. “Residents of Sindri! The time has come. War is called. We will be marching in as an ally to Tarben. Soliel, I request that you stay here, to take care of my children. The rest of you, we move out now!” She led them to the Proving Grounds. Nightingale, Hawthorne, and Tarben were already gathered. She was surprised to see Nightingale-assuming Athena’s eyes were correct, Queen Irina had allied herself with Beartooth. Electricity jumped around the queen. Athena felt a spark of anger. These packs had dragged her and her precious pack into a deadly political conflict! The nerve! She rolled her eyes quite inconspicuously.
“Callie; Cato! To me. The rest of you, fan out around us. Icarus, I’d like you to approach from the sky. That should give us some leverage,” Athena ordered. Callie was immediately there.
“My queen, we do not have the numbers to fight in this battle,” Callie said nervously. Her eyes were determined. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” It was a rhetorical question, though. The whole pack knew of Wendigo’s deceit. They couldn’t fault their queen for her loyalty. Wordlessly, Athena fixed her eyes on the horizon.