M31.
In the Wolf's Den aboard the Hrafnkel, the Wolf Lords sat atop moss-covered rocks. The air was thick with the mingled scents of burnt fat and damp fur.
Leman Russ raised his drinking horn and poured mead down his throat.
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
Amrodi Skarsen Skarsenson, Wolf Lord of the 5th Great Company, frowned deeply as he rapidly flipped through Shadow Monarch with forced patience.
"I received a letter from the Sigillite. He asked me to verify the loyalty of my Primarch brothers and, if possible, kill those who had turned traitor."
"Malcador told me he would personally send a representative to Caliban to confirm the Lions' loyalty. More precisely, Luther's loyalty. Lion was still fighting the Hrud."
"He and Dorn believed Nimrod should be ruled out, because he had once been a potential rival to Horus."
Skarsen suppressed his disgust for Nimrod and the Shadow of Order. "The Wolf Prime believes they are wrong?"
Gulp!
Russ took a huge swig, hunching over.
"Before, I would have said Nimrod would never betray us, though I'd dearly love to smash in that stinking face of his."
"In these times, nothing is certain. Nimrod could betray us as well."
Freki and Geri opened their eyes and rose to their feet.
"I once thought Horus would never betray the Allfather. After all, he was the Allfather's firstborn and most beloved son."
"I gave him the Omega Codex. Him alone."
"Horus used it to slaughter the loyalists, and he was laughing. I heard his laughter."
He walked up to Skarsen, and the Wolf Lord rose with him.
"The Imperium cannot bear another Primarch rebellion, especially not one led by Nimrod."
Skarsen realized the weighty responsibility that the Lords of Winter and War had placed upon him.
The Wolf King had sent observation teams