The pungent scent of stale beer and unwashed bodies assaulted Ellie's nose as she strode into the mess hall, her footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The cacophony of raucous laughter and clinking bottles died down as heads turned, eyes widening in recognition.
Ellie's gaze swept over the room, her heart sinking at the sight of overturned chairs, food-crusted plates, and discarded bones littering the floor. This was not the proud pack she remembered.
"Well, well," a gruff voice called out. "Look who's decided to grace us with her presence."
Ellie's jaw clenched, but she kept her voice steady. "I've returned to set things right, Marcus. This pack deserves better than... this." She gestured at the chaos around them.
How could Scott have let things deteriorate so badly? The Alpha she kn
