The aftermath of the heated confrontation with Aiden’s mate lingered in Luna’s mind, casting a shadow over the dawn that had begun to break. Every step back to the packhouse felt heavier than the last, her shoulders burdened not only by the physical strain of the night’s patrol but also by the psychological weight of her encounter with Aiden’s mate. The hostility in her rival’s eyes had been a stark reminder of just how precarious her position within the Silverclaw Pack truly was.
The packhouse, usually bustling with activity in the early morning, was eerily quiet as Luna entered. The warriors who had accompanied her on the patrol dispersed quickly, each of them casting glances that ranged from wary to indifferent. None of them offered any words of comfort or solidarity, and Luna found he
