Chapter 17

“For me,” I repeated bitterly, the words tasting like ash.

“And what about the pack? What about the wolves who trusted you, who looked up to you? Did they not matter?”

“Of course they mattered,” he snapped, his voice finally rising.

“But what was I supposed to do, Elara? Defy the Alpha? Start a rebellion? Your father didn’t give me a choice.”

A low growl from the woods to our left interrupted us, sharp and feral. My body tensed instantly, instincts kicking in as I scanned the shadows. Dante stepped forward without hesitation, placing himself between me and the threat.

A rogue wolf emerged, its eyes wild and gleaming with hunger. It paced toward us, hackles raised, its teeth bared in an unmistakable challenge.

“Stay back,” I ordered Dante, already positioning myself to face the rogue. But he didn’t listen.