The official pack document arrived on my desk at exactly 3 PM, delivered by Maria Rodriguez with shaking hands and worried eyes.
"I'm sorry, darling," she whispered, placing the expensive letterhead in front of me. "I tried to warn you."
The words swam before my eyes as I read the formal language. *Traditional hunt trial required for all new pack members. Sunset tomorrow at Shadow Ridge territory. Failure to appear will result in immediate expulsion and loss of protection.*
My wolf whined with anxiety. Expulsion meant death. Harold had made sure I understood that much.
"What does it really mean?" I asked Maria, but she was already walking away, her maternal instincts warring with pack loyalty.
The next evening, I drove my car to the coordinates Harold had provided. The Sha
