I released her and turned my back. I told Alpha Roderick, who then apologized to me and declared that Leonora must be punished. However, Caelan immediately stepped in, defending Leonora against his father, insisting that he would be the one to speak with her. I shook my head, uninterested in their family dispute, and told Alpha Roderick that we needed to return to our pack house.

Alpha Roderick sighed heavily, stepping forward. "I understand your frustration, and I truly regret what happened today. Leonora’s actions were unacceptable. I take full responsibility for the lack of discipline in my pack. Please, allow me to make amends."

I met his gaze, unreadable. "There’s nothing more to discuss. I have to leave."

But Alpha Roderick lifted a hand. "At least stay for tonight’s gathering. Consider it a gesture of goodwill. A welcome feast in your honor."

I hesitated, feeling Tyrus shift beside me. The last thing I wanted was to linger here any longer. Yet, something in Roderick’s expression was sincere, almost pleading.

After a long moment, I exhaled. "Alright. I’ll stay for the dinner."

That evening, the Bloody Scar Pack prepared a lavish feast. The tables were adorned with an array of food, and goblets of fresh blood were poured for the celebration.

The night was filled with laughter, the sounds of clinking cups, and the scent of roasted meat. But beneath the surface, there was an unshakable tension. Something felt off.

Once the gathering ended, I turned to Tyrus. "We need to leave. Now."

He nodded, sensing my unease. But before we could take a step, a loud, feral growl ripped through the night. The celebration turned into chaos. Instinctively, I reached for my weapon, and Tyrus followed suit. We rushed outside, pushing past panicked pack members. The sight that met us made my blood run cold.

Alpha Roderick lay on the ground, blood pooling beneath him, his body marred with deep stab wounds. A rogue stood above him, snarling, but I didn’t hesitate. With a swift motion, I lunged, my claws tearing through the rogue’s throat before he could strike again. He collapsed lifelessly, but my focus was already on Roderick.

I dropped to my knees, pulling him into my arms. His breathing was shallow, his eyes clouded with pain. Blood coated his lips as he struggled to speak.

"Stay... Protect the Bloody Scar Pack," he rasped. His fingers gripped my wrist, his strength fading fast. "Promise me... don’t leave them."

I hesitated. This wasn’t my pack. This wasn’t my war. But as I looked into his fading eyes, I saw desperation—an Alpha’s final plea.

I gave a slow nod. "I promise."

With those words, Alpha Roderick released his last breath, his body going limp in my arms. Silence fell over the pack as realization dawned on them.

Their Alpha was dead.

The air was thick with the scent of blood, fear, and uncertainty. The rogue's body lay lifeless at my feet, but my mind wasn't focused on the kill—I was staring at Alpha Roderick, the powerful leader now reduced to a lifeless corpse in my arms.

His last words echoed in my head. Stay. Protect the Bloody Scar Pack.

I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening around his body as the reality of his death weighed heavily upon my shoulders. This wasn't just a loss for his pack; it was a declaration of war. Whoever sent this rogue had planned it, waited for the right moment to strike. And I had a feeling this was just the beginning.

Tyrus stood beside me, his expression dark. He didn't have to say anything—I knew he was thinking the same thing. This wasn't an isolated attack. There would be more.

The pack members gathered around, their faces a mix of grief, anger, and fear. Some of them fell to their knees, mourning their fallen leader. Others looked to me, searching for guidance. I could feel the weight of their gazes, their silent pleas for direction. But I wasn’t one of them. I was an outsider.

Yet, Alpha Roderick’s final words had bound me to them. He had asked me to protect them, to stay.

Caelan pushed through the crowd, his face contorted with rage and grief. His father was gone, and though I knew he was next in line to lead, his eyes held no certainty—only the fire of vengeance.

“This isn’t over,” Caelan growled, his fists clenched. “Whoever did this will pay. We will hunt them down. Every last one of them.”

I looked at him, seeing the storm brewing in his eyes. He wasn’t ready for this responsibility, not yet. And in his rage, he would lead them into battle recklessly. That was something I couldn’t allow.

“We don’t even know who sent this rogue,” I said, my voice firm but calm. “Acting without a plan will only get more of your people killed.”

Caelan’s head snapped toward me, his fangs bared. “This is my pack. Not yours. You have no right to tell me what to do.”

I met his glare with an unwavering one of my own. “I made a promise to your father to protect this pack. Whether you like it or not, I’m staying.”

A murmur ran through the gathered wolves. Some nodded in agreement, others looked skeptical. Caelan’s jaw tightened, his hands shaking with the effort to keep his anger in check.

Leonora, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. Her golden eyes burned with something unreadable. “If you truly mean to stay,” she said, voice laced with challenge, “Prove yourself!”

Before I could respond, another growl erupted in the distance. A new wave of rogues appeared from the darkness, their eyes gleaming with bloodlust. A sudden attack—an ambush.

Caelan barely had time to react before one of them lunged at him. My body moved on instinct. I struck first, claws slicing through the rogue’s throat before it could sink its fangs into Caelan’s exposed neck.

His eyes locked onto mine, filled with shock and something else—something that made my heart beat fast.