Mira paced the dimly lit corridor of her quarters, her thoughts spiraling into a vortex of anxiety. Kaelan was supposed to be back by now. Every second of his absence gnawed at her, compounded by the recent death of her father. While she didn’t harbor the same affection for him that others might for a parent, the unresolved questions about her identity and his treatment of her made his death feel like the closing of a door she was desperate to open.
She leaned against the cold stone wall, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Where was Liana? Where was Gareth? A gnawing unease crept into her mind. The air outside seemed thicker, more oppressive. It was too quiet.
A low, mournful howl broke the silence, cutting through the night like a blade. Mira’s head snapped up, her heart skipping a beat. Then came another howl, this one closer, angrier. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong. She pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped outside, her bare feet hitting the cool ground.
The forest was alive with movement, shadows shifting unnaturally beneath the pale moonlight. A cacophony of howls rose into the air, a chilling chorus that made her blood run cold. She could see the flickering glint of eyes in the distance, the gleaming teeth of wolves edging closer. Her breath quickened as realization dawned.
Rogues.
Mira spun on her heel, ready to rush back inside and raise the alarm. But before she could move, a figure emerged from the treeline, flanked by a swarm of snarling wolves. Gareth.
His steps were confident, his posture commanding. The smirk on his face was a dagger to her gut. Behind him, the rogues fanned out, their numbers growing as more emerged from the shadows.
“So good to see you again, sister-in-law,” Gareth said mockingly, his voice carrying easily over the distance between them.
Mira’s hands balled into fists. “You’re a traitor,” she spat, her voice trembling with anger and fear. “You’ll destroy the pack for your selfish games.”
“Destroy?” Gareth feigned offense, spreading his arms wide. “I prefer the term ‘rebuild.’ I’m creating something better, something stronger. And you, Mira… you’re in the way.”
She stepped back, her mind racing. The pack was vulnerable. Without an Alpha, there was no central figure to rally the defense. She had to warn them. Turning sharply, she sprinted toward the pack house, ignoring the triumphant laughter that echoed behind her.
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