William's POV
I wasn't supposed to be here.
Gold Moon doesn't attend Claiming Ceremonies. We haven't in decades — not since my father decided we had nothing to gain from parading ourselves in front of packs who either fear us or want something from us. I told my council the same thing when they raised it this year. No interest. Not worth the exposure.
Then came the dream.
Snow, endless and untouched, and a scent I couldn't place — something that pulled at me the second I woke, like my body remembered it even if my mind didn't. I saw myself standing in a clearing, another wolf across from me, jet-black and broad enough to be dangerous even at rest. And between us, something neither of us could look away from.
I didn't see her face. Just the pull. A pull strong enough that I was on a je
