Bella woke before sunrise, the world outside still quiet. Alfred’s arm was around her, warm and heavy, but something in her chest felt tight. A pulse of warning. Moonlight shifted inside her, restless.

She slipped out of bed and stepped onto the balcony. The air was cold, sharper than usual. The pack grounds looked peaceful, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something just stepped into their world again — something she should’ve noticed sooner.

She tried reaching for ...