The moon hung low and swollen over Moonshadow territory, its light catching on the rooftops like spilled mercury. From her balcony, Bella could see the training yard below—empty now except for the glint of steel spears propped against the wall. The pack had gone quiet after days of drills, but the silence didn’t comfort her. It felt like the deep breath before a storm.

Inside, the fire crackled low. Alfred sat at the edge of their bed, his elbows on his knees, head bowed as if the weight ...