David watched the council members as they entered the meeting room, their expressions a blend of worry and interest. He could tell they were aware of their Alpha’s unease, which permeated the pack bonds like a pre-storm charge. As the Beta, he felt it more intensely than others, the sharp pang of his Alpha’s suffering pulsing beneath his surface.

The northern border dispute should have been a straightforward matter. The Stone Ridge Pack had been encroaching on their hunting grounds for ...