Elsa O’Brian arrived right on time that evening, and I could hear the familiar rumble of his jeep pulling up outside. A strange sense of anticipation washed over me as I walked out to meet him. He greeted me with his usual warmth and opened the door for me. I climbed into the passenger seat, trying to shake off the unease that settled in the pit of my stomach. We drove through the Element Pack’s territory as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the settlement. The place felt familiar yet distinctly different from my own pack. It was bigger and much more lively. Everywhere we went, people greeted O’Brian with smiles and nods of respect. I couldn’t help but notice the admiration in their eyes as they looked at him—almost as if he were more than just a leader to

