The night sky was clear, the Red Moon hanging full and perfect.

In the shadowed valley, the werewolf army marched in perfect order. The scrape of their paws against snow echoed off the cliffs. Blood-red moonlight glinted off their sharp wolf blades, casting a cold, eerie sheen.

Old Watt rode at the front of the formation. Will deliberately lagged half a length behind the White Wolf King, ceding the lead to him. Two days prior, when Watt had led the White Wolf Legion to Nightfall Peak in the Wolf God Mountains, Will had publicly abdicated the Wolf King title, handing it over to Watt.

Now, Watt was not just king of the White Wolves—he was king of all werewolves.

It was a necessary expedient! Will was not generous enough to give up his throne voluntarily. He'd agreed to the White Wolf King's terms temporarily, not just for the greater good, but for his own schemes. With the war looming, who held the title of Wolf King didn't matter much. I'm giving up a empty name, but the White Wolves will pay with real blood and sacrifice! Will stared at Watt's back, his eyes sharp and deep.

"Nephew, we're less than thirty miles from the Great Wall. Why don't we rest here in Devourer Valley until the battle?" The White Wolf King suddenly turned around.

"We can't stay here long." A memory flashed through Will's mind. Half a year ago, I fell into an ambush right here in Devourer Valley. I won't make that mistake again.

"My suggestion is to hide the army in the forest north of Lone Peak. It's less than ten miles from Shieldhold—we can rest there, then strike the wall directly on the Red Moon night."

"You didn't answer my question. Why not camp here instead of going to Lone Peak? That place is closer to the wall, far more dangerous." Watt's gravelly voice grated on Will's ears.

Dammit! You really think I'm your subordinate now? How much clearer do I need to be? Devourer Valley got its name because its terrain is perfect for ambushes. You want the army to camp here? Are you brain-dead? You old fool, you're lucky to have stolen the throne! Just blow yourself up already!

"Uncle, Devourer Valley is flat, but it has almost no cover. If we rest here, we'll be easy targets for enemy ambushes." Will said respectfully. "Do you remember Lev the Invincible? A hundred years ago, his werewolf army was wiped out here by the Phantom Lynx Legion." Will didn't want to mention his own recent defeat, so he cited an old clan battle instead.

The White Wolf King's brows furrowed, forming a "three" shape on his forehead. "I remember the forest north of Lone Peak. Years ago, I set an ambush there with your father to attack human rangers. The forest is narrow, the ground muddy, and crawling with venomous bugs. Those three days of hiding were agony—when I came back, my whole body was covered in pustules. I still remember it."

That's because you're stupid and didn't use the witch's potion beforehand.

"Uncle, you're right. It's not an ideal place to rest, but it's perfect for hiding. If even we werewolves can barely stand the bugs, humans will never dare venture in. Since my father set an ambush there, we should hide our army there too." Will smiled.

The White Wolf King thought for a moment, then said slowly: "Fine, we'll rest north of Lone Peak. But the hundred White Wolf warriors will rest elsewhere. They're going to die for the clan—I want them to sleep comfortably on their last night."

Will was speechless. So Watt isn't stupid—he's crazy! Dear uncle, has the warm sun of Winter Snow Valley melted the warrior spirit in your wolf bones? It's the eve of war, and you're worrying about comfort and mercy! Will wanted to slap Watt awake, but reason told him not to. He didn't miss the three elite warriors flanking Watt: White Wolf Knight Shen Tu, Ghost Rider Haywood, and Little White Wolf Ash. By contrast, Will only had one Wolf Guard with him—and it wasn't Wolf.

So Will forced a twisted smile onto his face. "With the war so close, you still think of caring for the death warriors. I can't express how much I admire you." Please tell me you don't actually think that's a compliment!

The White Wolf King sighed. "When I left Wolf Fort, I wandered the tundra for years. They followed me without hesitation, never leaving my side. They're not just my subjects—they're my children. I can't treat them like pawns to be used and discarded."

Will cursed inwardly: You're just saying I treat them like pawns.

"Uncle, if we win this war, the White Wolves won't die in vain. They'll leave a mark in werewolf history." Will cleared his throat, then added: "But I have to be honest. A hundred White Wolves' self-explosion might not be enough to destroy Shieldhold."

Watt tightened his reins, his voice suddenly sharp. "A hundred isn't enough?!"

"Probably not." Will said. Preferably the entire White Wolf clan would blow themselves up.

"You forget—on Red Moon night, the power of a White Wolf's self-explosion increases tenfold."

"I've already calculated that, Uncle."

The "three" furrow returned to Watt's forehead. He was silent for a moment, then said slowly: "Sending a hundred White Wolves to explode themselves is the maximum sincerity I can show for the unity of the Black and White Wolves, and the greatest contribution I can make to reviving the clan. I can't do more. If you ask me to risk every White Wolf in a suicide attack, I can't do it. I have to leave a spark for the White Wolves to survive."

Will cursed again inwardly: Dammit! War is win or die—no middle ground! You old fool only cares about small losses, not the big picture! If we lose this war, the entire clan is finished! What spark are you talking about? He was furious, but forced himself to stay calm on the surface.

"Uncle, this is a once-in-a-century chance. We have to make sure we win—we can't hold back. If we fail to take the wall on Red Moon night…"

"Enough!" Watt cut him off. "A line is a line—no matter what. I'd say the same to the Blood Moon Apostle!"

Blood Moon Apostle! Will's heart skipped a beat. "Uncle, you mean… you've met that red-robed man too?"

Watt sneered. "Do you really think your smooth tongue could convince me? If the Blood Moon Apostle hadn't mediated, I'd have let you die at Orekl's hands long ago!"

A chill ran down Will's spine. He'd always been confident, but now he felt like an invisible hand was manipulating him. He could almost hear the Blood Moon Apostle's cold, owl-like laughter in his ears. It wasn't a dream—the Apostle was real…

In a daze, Will's attention snapped back. A glint of light on the rock! Did I see that wrong? No—ambush!

Will jolted awake and shouted: "Enemies on the rocks!"

Just then, his horse neighed in terror, its front legs collapsing into the snow. The sudden chaos threw Will off balance. His claws scrabbled uselessly at the air as he tumbled off the horse, hitting the snow hard and kicking up a cloud of powder.