Alaric

Elena’s scream still echoed in my ears as we entered our pack house. The dawn light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across her tear-stained face. But there was something else in her eyes now – a desperate, calculating look that I had seen too many times before.

“We need to call Patrick,” she said, her voice hoarse but determined. “Now.”

“Elena...” I started, exhaustion weighing heavy in my bones. “It’s over. We ...