Lana’s POV
I stepped out carefully, smoothing the folds of my dress, trying not to look as nervous as I felt. My heels clicked softly against the polished driveway, the air thick with the faint scent of pine and something older… something wild.
That was when a tiny wolf pup darted out from the shadows near the gate, its soft gray fur glistening under the evening light. It yipped, circling my feet, rubbing its tiny head against my ankle as if greeting me.
A small laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Well, hello there,” I whispered, bending down to scoop it up. Its warm little body wriggled in my arms, and for a second, the tension of the evening eased.
Then Liam’s voice cut through the moment, sharp and cold.
“Put that thing down, Lana.”
I froze, startled by the disdain dripping
