The early light of dawn barely touched the edges of the Lyric estate, yet the parklands surrounding the main house were alive with motion. Wolves patrolled the borders, hybrids carried out training drills, and scouts returned from night surveillance, their breaths misting in the cold air.
Ethan stood in the command room, a wide space lined with tactical maps, monitors, and observation points overlooking the entire territory. His posture was rigid, Alpha instincts on high alert. The events of the past nights—the bond, the Council, the deadline—had left him frayed. Yet he remained unyielding, the embodiment of control.
Daniel, his Beta, stepped forward, bowing slightly before presenting the report. His expression was grim, controlled, and precise, as it always was when delivering news that
