moonlight, and the faint scent of sunflowers clung to her, warm and golden despite the chaos of the night. He glanced down at h

, and he couldn't risk leaving her vulnerable. With a low growl, he took off at a sprint, his powerful legs carrying them through the forest with ease. The packhouse loomed in the distance, its grand structure illuminated by the soft glow of

with awe. *Protect her.* Valrik clenched his jaw, his golden eyes darkening. "I know," he muttered. "But this complicates everything." Before he could dwell on it further, a voice echoed in his mind-Jarek, his Beta. *Alpha, w

Within moments, Elena appeared at the door, her silver hair tied back in a neat bun, her sharp eyes taking in the scene. "Your Majesty," she said, her voice calm but laced with concern. "What's going on?" Valrik gestur

as she looked at Zariah. "I'll take care of her, Alpha. You have my word." Valrik gave her a curt nod before turning on his heel and striding out of the room. The moment he stepped into

through the forest, their eyes glowing with a savage hunger. Blood stained the ground, the metallic tang sharp in the air. The cries of wounded pack members mingled with the snarls of

in flames. It let out a guttural scream before collapsing to the ground. Another rogue charged from the left-Valrik didn't even tu

lesh, and the earth itself seemed to rise against them, trapping them in crevices or crushing them under boulders. Within minutes, the battlefield w

truggled against the binds of earth holding it in place, its eyes wild with fear. Valrik approach

to singe but not burn. "Answer me." The rogue snarled, its voice rough and broken. "You think you're untouchable, Alpha

er forever. He turned to Jarek, his Beta, who stood nearby, his expression grim. "Double the patrols," Valrik ordered. "And find out who's behind this. Now." Jarek nod

salvation-but she was also a vulnerability he couldn't afford. *Protect her,* Draeven growled, his