Over the past three years, his territory had suffered rogue attacks more than once—and the frequency had only increased. This was already the second attack this month. Normally, rogue incidents happened once or twice a year, usually when food in the forests ran scarce and desperate rogues crossed borders in search of prey. Smaller, isolated trespasses were common. But full-blown assaults involving large numbers of rogues—those were rare, often happening only once a year.
Yet something had changed.
Zion had noticed a disturbing pattern in these recent attacks. They weren't random anymore. They felt orchestrated. Intentional.
And that was why, this time, he waited. He observed. He needed to be sure.
And now that he was—he was done holding back.
