Strange feelings The champagne tray in my hands felt like a hundred pounds. My arms trembled under the weight, but I forced myself to push on through the crowded ballroom of the Blackwood Estate. Tonight marked the most pivotal night in both the local business scene and the pack’s history. It was Daniel Walker’s annual gathering—a night to announce the pack’s growth, or perhaps a grand display of pack power. Most importantly, a night for the alpha males to flaunt their strength and charm, hoping to attract the attention of eager females. I adjusted my grip on the cold metal handles, trying to steady myself. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, the glittering city skyline seemed miles away, a stark reminder of where I truly belonged—out there, in the shadows, not here amid the

