I watched her from the woods. She sank into herself when she rounded that corner, a sense of defeat hugging her shoulders I rarely saw from her.

My pack hadn't been kind to her. Not the way she deserved. I couldn't force them to like her. I couldn't force them to love her.

But I could protect her.

Aspen had to find her own way through this. Stepping in to interfere would only damage her in the long run. She'd lose respect from the other wolves if I did. As much as it hurt ...