edge of the clearing, his golden eyes reflecting the funeral pyre as it consumed the bodies of their fallen. The warm glow

had left the pack for love, and now that love had cost them lives. The air fe

voice broke thro

eyes shimmering with concern. She reached for hi

aid softly. "But so are

I deserve their anger. T

ame back because you care about them. You fought for them. D

ulders sagging. "It's

oldered, its embers a grim reminder of the night before. Marcus, Vincent's s

he murmurs. "Vincent, Jon, Shelby... They gave their lives to protect this

eement swept th

nder of the events that had brought them to this point

alongside us, but it's hard to ignore that your actions broug

ng down on him. He looked out at the pack-wolves he ha

ady despite the tension. "I left because I thought it was the right thing to d

the crowd, meeting

y family. And I'm not leaving again. Whatever

. Then Marcus nodded, his expression

imeter, set traps, and fortified defenses. Jason threw himself

cabins, Lana approached. The young wolf was S

ana said h

sed by her approach.

ering with uncertainty. "I just... I wanted to

mention of Shelby. "She was a

in you. Even when others didn't. I think...

all balm to his guilt. "Thank you, L

not entirely. Jason's relentless efforts and willingness to stand

espite her human nature, she insisted on training wi

u that," Marcus said one after

blazing with resolve. "If I'm going to stay, I

on't forget, this isn't a game. Magnus wo

him to," Emma repli

arrowed, and he followed the trail cautiously. The scent led him to a secluded spot near the edge of the te

heart sa

nto the clearing, his voice a lo

eyes wide with fear. "Jason! I

ut Jason's focus was on Kade. He lunged, pi

information," Jason said,

a few weeks! I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. H

surging through him. But he forced himself to pul

me," he said, draggi

erupted in anger. Accusations and growls filled the a

aid, his voice a low rumble. "How

evident. "I didn't mean

," Marcu

s been giving Magnus information for weeks. He says Magnus

rew, but Marcus raised

Marcus said, his gaze fixed on

he knew. Magnus was rallying other rogue wolves to his cause, promising power and

d in the fires of betrayal and grief. Jason led the effo

be left behind. Despite Jason's protests,

sk everything," Emma said, her green eye

ldn't dissuade her. "Just pr

r voice softening. "We're

oached, the pack gathered in the clearing

eak us. He thinks we're weak because we've lost people. But he doesn't understand what mak

pted, the sound echoi

pping into his. He looked at her, his

he said softly, "w

her voice steady despi

ew one thing for certain: this was his chance to pr

ouldn't