Elara's voice cut through the air.
"Hold him down."
My men and I were slammed to the ground at the same time. The impact drove the breath from my lungs, and I felt my wolf surge against my ribs, snarling, clawing to get out. I forced it down. Not yet.
Every last crate of goods I'd hauled all the way from the Riverbend Territories was seized under Edric's name.
He looked at the emptied convoy and smiled coldly.
"Brother, why must you insist on working against me?"
I said nothing.
"Men, burn this convoy. Make sure Ashton Duskborne never trades again."
"Yes, sir!"
"I dare you."
I smiled. "Raise the banner."
A crewman yanked the cover off the standard mounted on the lead wagon.
Four words blazed in the sunlight: ROYAL TRIBUTE GOODS.
I rose to my feet.
Looked straight at Edric's bloodless face.
"What nerve you have, brother. Stealing from the Supreme Alpha himself."
