Alpha Ren heard the news before the sun set.

A messenger knelt before him, head bowed, voice shaking as he delivered the words Alpha Ren had not expected to hear.

“She is back,” the man said. “Ivy. She crossed the gate. The pack bowed.”

Silence filled the hall.

Alpha Ren did not move at first. His fingers rested on the arm of his chair, still, controlled. His face showed nothing. But his eyes darkened slowly, like a storm pulling itself together.

“Say it again,” he said calmly.

The ...