Back at the Nightshade pack, the members continued to revel in the festivities. The party showed no signs of slowing down and seemed destined to stretch into the early morning. However, Alpha Cade, feeling weary, excused himself and made his way to the family meeting room. His mother had summoned him and his sister, and they both knew what the meeting would be about.

As Cade entered the dimly lit room, he noticed his parents already seated, their faces stern and serious. He swallowed hard, ...