back the constant wave of worry threatening to drown me. But whenever I was alone

ved most in the world were missing, an

grief. Everyone here had lost someone, their parents, siblings, mates.

one of our own," a voice broke through the silence. One of th

d during the attack, our warriors killed, our homes burn

with him, "but we need their help. T

d, hollow eyes turned towar

en eyes and ears. Something about his demeanor unsettled me. He was one of the strongest warriors left, yet he

ed immediate attention. Towering and imposing, much like his Alpha, Ashvin, Kai's very prese

m, refusing to let my shorter

a meeting. What are you doing he

mile. But his voice was all business when he spoke. "You can't hold

defiance in me. But before I could respond, my attention

was

rcing eyes locked on mine. Fury rose in me, hot and sharp, as I brus

om meeting with my people?" I demanded, my voice

"You should know better, Princess. We can't allow another pack to gather like this on our land. You know

ce, and I hated the way my body reacted to him. Hi

" he asked, st

his hand briefly rested on my shoulder. The contact was fleeting, bu

I muttered under my breath

g slightly. "Alpha Ashvin, Princess Zahra-Rose, you'r

walking away from Ashvin, det

shvin and his parents. Kai stood silently nearby, his prese

rts about the Dark East. Their actions are suspicious, and we hav

bitions. Their Alpha had once sought to strengthen his hold by demanding a marriage alli

them off guard and free your people." His assurance was steady, his g

eart heavy with both

ryone's attention. "If we're to stand against th

rned his gaze to Ashvin, then

shock. "Excuse me?" I exclaimed, the wo

mly. "It's the only way to unite our packs and stren

him to argue. But he simply no

," he said, h

iling within me. How could he agree so

," I whispered,

one remained resolute. "This isn't about f

lity pressing down on me. My people needed me. But wa