Chapter 24: The Next Gathering

A year to the night, the Blood Moon rose over Echo Hall's court the color of a ripe plum.

Nine packs stood in a ring around the Moon Stone, and this time they had brought their children.

The Alpha of Redwater had brought winter stores on four trucks and a case of wine.

He stood by the pillar with a pleased look and one torn ear.

The old she-wolf sat in the front row.

She had grown very small over the year and very fierce.

A blanket embroidered with silver stars lay over her knees.

Agnes sat beside her.

The pup she had saved in the clinic, now a boy of a year and a half, stood unsteadily between them and shrieked at the moon.

Nobody told him to be quiet.

Edmund came across the cobbles in his formal coat, with his shaved head shining.

"Everyone's here, Alpha. The Gathering waits for you."

"Is the north road open?"

"It is." He hesitated. "Alpha. The sentry at the river says he's there again. On the far bank."

"Is he alone?"

"Alone."

She lifted her head and looked beyond the gate and the pines.

It was a mile off, down where the river bent under the old rusted bridge.

She could not have seen anything at that distance.

She knew what was there anyway.

A man thinner than he had ever been, in a dark coat, with gray coming into his beard.

A lean shape on the far bank that came every full moon and stood among the reeds.

He watched the lights of the hall, and he did not cross.

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