**Gaia's POV**

We both froze, bodies still entangled, breaths ragged. Astrein's form tensed above me, frustration and duty warring within him.

"Alpha Astrein!" Owen's voice came through the door, urgent. "I apologize for the interruption, but we have an emergency. The Crimson Star Pack was just attacked by a powerful rogue force. They've been nearly wiped out. We need to convene immediately."

"The powerful rogues," I whispered. "The ones we've been tracking."

"I ...