Our family trading house had already collapsed under Caleb’s pressure. Merchants who once welcomed us now refused our coin. Suppliers suddenly “forgot” their agreements. Even permits from pack officials had begun mysteriously disappearing.
Caleb’s name never needed to be spoken.
In territory ruled by a dominant Alpha bloodline, everyone understood the cost of crossing them.
Two weeks from now, the Pack Council would hear our case again.
And every day the scales tipped further against us.
What I still couldn’t understand was how far Caleb had fallen.
Not just as a man—
But as an Alpha.
Using the pack’s influence like a weapon to tear a family apart.
And the cruelest truth of all?
I had once loved him.
Loved him more than I loved myself.
Trusted him the way wolves trusted the Moon itself.
“Aria.”
The familiar voice cut through my thoughts.
I turned—and froze.
For a heartbeat, my lungs forgot how to work.
“Lily…”
She stood a few paces away, hair hastily tied back as if she’d rushed here without stopping to breathe. Her sharp eyes scanned my face, searching.
I barely managed a tired smile.
“You’re back.”
I didn’t even finish the sentence before she rushed forward and threw her arms around me.