KELLY THOMPSON'S POV

Paul's posture straightened, a steel resolve knitting his brow as he faced me. "I will not fail you," he vowed, his voice echoing with the kind of determination that clawed its way out from deep within. "My loyalty, my dedication to our pack and to your vision-it remains unwavering."

I studied him, the shadows of the study dancing across his features, casting doubt and hope in equal measure. As much as I yearned to trust in his pledge, the seeds of treachery had a way of ...