The night was unusually quiet, the moon hanging low as if it were watching the world with bated breath. Derek sat in his study, pouring over maps and reports from scouts patrolling the borders. The plague had slowed but had not yet disappeared, and Kevin's schemes loomed like a storm cloud.

A sharp knock broke the silence, and his Beta, Alex, stepped in, his expression grim.

"Alpha," Alex began hesitantly, "there’s someone at the border requesting to see you."

Derek raised a brow. "Who ...