A Few Hours Earlier at the Nightshade Pack...

~Maxwell~

The full moon shone upon us. I stood in the courtyard near the edge of the forest, watching as my four elite guards made their final preparations. Lucas, Helena, James, and Sarah moved with efficiency, their movements silent and deliberate as they checked their weapons and supplies one last time.

"Gather around," I ordered, my voice low but firm. The four guards immediately formed a semicircle before me, their faces barely visible in the ...