Blackwood Estate loomed from here, that massive stone pile at the pack's heart. Every window glowed. String quartet tunes drifted over, mixed with laughter.
Everyone was there.
Sophia was in her gown, arm-in-arm with some Beta heir. Elders huddled, plotting pack futures. Young wolves were toasting their Alpha heir's return.
And Kayden—
He'd be in the light's center, surrounded, adored.
Me?
In a crappy shack on the edge, clutching a coat that wasn't even mine, dreaming what I shouldn't.
I should sleep. Tomorrow, I should clean the pack bathrooms, prepare breakfasts for the elders, and—
But Diana stirred. She growled inside, claws scraping my ribs, tail whipping my spine. She wanted out. To shift. To...
"You want to see him," I whispered. "Right?"
Diana didn't answer, but I knew. I glanced back at the estate.
Just a peek. One look.
I wouldn't get close, wouldn't get caught. Just confirm he was back. See him from afar, like the past ten years.
I stashed the coat, threw on a dark old cloak.
Then, I pushed the door open, slipping into the night.
The moon rose.
Silver light spilled through the forest, stretching tree shadows long. Stragglers headed to the estate on the main path. I had to dodge them.
I slunk like a rat along walls, into the alley behind the shacks. Piled with junk and trash—no one came this way.
Footsteps.
I dove behind crates, held my breath.
Two guards passed, voices clear.
"Gotta patrol extra tonight. Banquet can't go wrong."
"Got it. You see that hybrid?"
"Who? Gray?"
"Yeah. Miss Sophia said to lock her up on sight."
Laughter faded. My heart pounded like it'd burst. Waited five full minutes, sure the coast was clear, then emerged.
Hands shaking.
Maybe turn back. Too risky. If caught, Sophia would make me wish for death.
But my feet kept moving.
I walked through the alley, into the edge bushes. Thorns snagged my cloak, scratched my legs—I ignored them.
