Every fiber of my being screamed to obey, to reveal myself and confront the leader, but caution held me back. I slid silently out of hiding, allowing the light to reveal my presence. I faced Alastair, saying not a word, merely watching him with eyes that held a mixture of determination and fear.

Alastair wasn't just the alpha; he was like a father to me. Despite that, I knew my place in the pack was delicate, a fragile balance between acceptance and tolerance. He broke the tense ...