The clearing was exactly where Thomas said it would be.
Deep enough in neutral territory that pack law meant nothing. Close enough to our border that we could see the smoke still rising from the Beta house in the distance.
My hand found Kade's. Squeezed once.
He squeezed back.
Behind us, a dozen warriors fanned out. Armed. Ready. But we all knew this was a trap.
We were walking into it anyway.
"There." Marcus pointed.
Through the trees, I saw them.
Thomas stood in the center, looking like he'd never been in a fight at all. No blood. No dirt. Just that same cold smile I remembered from dinner.
Lydia was beside him. Perfect as always. Her dress somehow pristine despite everything.
And between them, on her knees with her hands bound, was Ruth.
Blood ran down her face. One eye was s
