Nicole was tentative about James's presence. Out of everyone in the pack, she feared him the most. They walked together, finding comfort in the quietness of the surrounding woods.

"Nicole," James began, his voice firm yet gentle. "I haven't spoken to you about this before because I thought it was a passing fling. But now, things have changed.

The rumors, the tension—they're affecting the pack. And more importantly, they're affecting our loyalty to the Dark Moon."

Nicole ...