Elowyn slowed as she entered the greener, silent corner of the compound - a place she was sure she'd never seen before. The air felt different here, warmer, older, as if the walls still held memories.

At first, she thought it was empty of people. Then she saw him.

A broad-shouldered Alpha sat on a low stone ledge, his head bowed, shoulders trembling faintly. The sunlight caught on the wet streaks down his cheeks - tears.

Elowyn froze, breath catching. She'd never seen an Alpha cry ...