Chapter 9. Wolves Bite Back

They ended up on the porch, sitting across from each other in silence. The night pressed in heavy, cicadas buzzing faintly in the trees.

Finally, Riven broke it. “It was stamped Iron Howl. Sealed. Like they wanted him gone.”

Axel’s jaw flexed. “Because he wasn’t supposed to die.”

Her breath stuttered. “What does that mean?”

“Your father,” Axel said slowly, as if dragging the words out of chains, “wasn’t just a member of Iron Howl. He was… important. Too important to just go up in flames. If the file’s sealed, it means someone made a deal. Someone high enough to cover it.”

The porch tilted under her. She gripped the wooden rail to stay steady. “Who?”

He didn’t answer. His silence was heavier than words.

“Magnus,” she whispered.

His eyes locked on hers, unrelenting—steel on steel. “Don’t. Not unless you’re ready for what that means.”

Her chest caved. The truth hung unspoken.

They didn’t speak again until the night was deeper,