The forest surrounding Kade's pack territory had a specific silence, ancient, the kind that didn't mean peace, but constant vigilance. The trees were tall, dense, with thick and twisted roots that seemed to watch whoever dared cross their domains. It was between these shadows that Viktor emerged, walking slowly, as if each step required effort, as if his own body were struggling to stay upright.

At first glance, he looked exactly like what he claimed to be: a wanderer. The unshaven ...