LORRY SPRINGSTONE'S / KELLY THOMPSON'S POV

After days of tense negotiations, Alpha Biansky finally agrees to release me, but at a steep price. In addition to the territorial concessions Jason offered, the North Pack demands a ransom of ten gold bars.

On the day of the exchange, I'm brought from my cell and loaded into a heavily guarded carriage. Alpha Biansky's son Harry, along with their gamma and a contingent of warriors, are tasked with overseeing the handover.

As we near the stream that ...