The fire in my room had burned low. The logs just had a faint flame that crackled softly in the silence.

I put my hand to my chest because I detested it, not because it hurt.

There was a knock. “Alpha?”

It was Rowan. Always loyal, never sleeping.

"Enter."

He stepped inside, bowing slightly. “The scouts returned. No renegade activity near the border.”

"Well. Tell them to rest.”

He hesitated before adding, “The men are saying the Luna contender trains harder than half the pack.”

I ...