The night air in the Silver Claw Pack was still, the moon hanging low over the forest like a silent sentinel. Alpha Orion stood on the balcony of his chambers, a cigarette between his fingers, watching the moon's faint glow filter through the trees. The light smoke swirled around him, calming his nerves, though his mind was far from at ease. The events of the day weighed heavily on him- Ray's coronation as Beta, the wedding to Elara- everything felt off, as if a dark cloud had settled over the pack. As Orion took another drag, a faint rustle of wings caught his attention. He didn't flinch or show any sign of alarm. He was used to this.
A dark shape darted through the sky, and in a blur of movement, a bat swooped low over the balcony. Orion exhaled slowly, watching as the bat landed on
