Mane slipped into the dimly lit room quietly, his boots dragging slightly across the wooden floor. Logan, Theodore, and Xavier were seated around the worn-out table, murmuring in low voices until they saw him enter. One look at Mane’s face, and all conversation stopped.

His chest heaved as though he’d been running, sweat beading at his temples despite the chilnessl in the air. His eyes — wide and frantic — darted from one man to another.

“Alpha Logan,” he began, voice shaky, ...