Nova’s eyes find mine before she answers. “To prove that redemption is impossible. That broken wolves can’t be fixed. That packs like yours are doomed to fail.”
The words hit like physical blows because they’re my deepest fear made manifest. That all of this—Ash Hollow, the healing, the second chances—is just an elaborate form of self-delusion.
“Why?” The question comes from someone in the back, but it echoes what we’re all thinking.
“Because proving broken things can’t be fixed serves certain interests,” Nova says simply. “Because hope threatens existing power structures. Because if packs like yours succeed, it challenges everything certain factions believe—fae courts that think bloodlines should stay pure, supernaturals who see mixed communities as abominations.”
The room erupts into angry voices, but I raise my hand once—sharp, decisive—and silence falls immediately. The response is automatic, trained.
“Phil targeted us because we’re proof his worldview is wrong,” I say, my voice carrying to every corner of the room. “We took broken wolves and built something stronger than most legacy packs. That threatens people who profit from failure.”
Ben nods grimly. “He’s been studying our weak spots for months.”
“Then we use his overconfidence against him,” I continue, letting command settle into my voice. “He thinks he knows us. But he only knows our past wounds, not our current strength.”
“This is his fault!” Marcus points at Mateo. “Bringing that bastard here—“
“We all talked to him!” Elena shoots back. “We all fell for it!”
“Some of us didn’t,” Callum snarls. “Some of us remember what security means—“
“Enough!” My commanding voice booms through the chaos, but it takes longer than it should for quiet to return. Too long.
Nova watches from her position against the wall, her expression unreadable. She’s seeing exactly what she warned about—a pack tearing itself apart.
“Fighting each other is exactly what he wants,” I say, forcing my voice to carry calm authority. “Right now. This moment. This is his endgame.”
“So what do we do?” Ben asks.
The question hangs in the air. Every pair of eyes is on me, waiting for an answer I’m not sure I have.
“We stop him,” I say finally. “We draw Phil Dawson out and make sure he never manipulates another pack.”
“How?” Kari’s voice is practically flat. “If he’s been this careful, this systematic, he’s not going to walk into a trap.”
I look at Nova, hating that I need her expertise, hating that my pack needs outside help to survive. But hating the truth doesn’t make it less true.
“He already thinks he’s winning,” Nova says, stepping forward. “That’s his weakness. He’ll want to check his work—see if the cracks are spreading.” Her gaze slides to Mateo. “And if he doesn’t show on his own, we have a contact who can invite him back.”
Mateo’s face drains of color. “You want me to—“
“I want you ready,” Nova says. “If we need to draw him out, you reach out like nothing’s changed. Tell him the pack’s struggling. That you need to talk.” Her voice softens slightly. “But my bet? He’ll come on his own. Men like Phil can’t resist watching their work unfold.”
“And when he shows up?” Marcus challenges.
Nova’s smile is as sharp as a blade. “Then you remind him why it’s dangerous to hunt broken wolves. You might be fractured, but you’re not defenseless.”
The energy in the room shifts. Not unity—we’re too damaged for that—but purpose. Direction. A target for all the rage and frustration that’s been building.
“Walk me through the plan,” Callum says, Gamma instincts kicking in. “Mateo contacts Phil. Then what?”
Nova moves to the tactical map spread across the table. “Phil’s overconfident. He walked right into your compound yesterday—he thinks he owns this place.” She taps the lodge. “He’ll come back. Men like him can’t resist checking their work. The question is whether we’re ready when he does.”
“So we wait?” Kari’s skepticism bleeds through.
“We prepare. Cover every approach. When he shows up—and he will—he walks into a net he doesn’t see coming.” Nova traces the perimeter roads. “Meanwhile, we need to understand his surveillance setup. He’s been watching from somewhere.”
I study the map, already seeing the tactical layout. “Tomorrow at dawn, Nova and I sweep the eastern perimeter—that’s where the motion sensors keep triggering. Ben, Wyatt—you’re on standby in case Phil shows while we’re out. Callum coordinates defense from here.”
