Frank’s POV: Everything happened so quickly; I barely had time to react. The Silvermoon Alliance’s werewolves stormed into the Grayclaw Tribe Alpha’s home without any warning. Their boldness was an unmistakable provocation. But there was no room for anger. I had to force myself to smile and greet them, suppressing my pride in the process. By the time my father and I reached the front yard, we saw one of the Silvermoon Alliance’s werewolves shift back into human form. He held a woman as he climbed onto the back of another wolf-like Alpha. Surrounded by the other massive wolves, they swiftly moved out. All that remained was a single imposing figure. His piercing wolf eyes locked onto mine, cold as ice. I rushed forward—my werewolf blood kept me warm despite the freezing air, yet a cold shiver ran down my spine. My father nudged me from behind. “Ah, esteemed Alpha!” I snapped out of my trance, forcing a smile as I fought to control the wild instincts stirring within me. “I didn’t realize our Grayclaw Tribe was so fortunate to host your presence!” As I spoke, my mother and the servants appeared, all wearing warm, welcoming smiles. But in front of us stood a man whose expression could freeze even the hottest flame. We bowed so low it felt as though our spines might break. I sniffed the air, immediately recognizing his scent. Ivan. The leader of the Silverfang Tribe, a formidable Alpha who held absolute authority within the Silvermoon Alliance. He was also the eldest of the eight Alphas. The Silvermoon Alliance was one of the four major tribes in Northlorn, and everyone wanted to be on their good side. But meeting a family as powerful and ancient as theirs was not something to be taken lightly. They were elusive and mysterious. People knew about their eight Alphas, but very few had seen them in person. Ivan was one of the few who occasionally represented the Silvermoon Alliance at the Alpha Council, an exclusive meeting for the most respected of leaders. I had seen him from afar a few times, so I recognized him now. “Alpha Ivan, please, come inside! It’s freezing out here, and if you’d like, please, come sit in my humble home?” My father invited warmly. “Yes, yes, please come in and have a hot drink!” I added, maintaining the charade. Before I could continue, a piercing wolf howl shattered the icy silence. Suddenly, my throat was seized by sharp claws, and my body was slammed into the snow. Ivan’s human form twisted under the moonlight, his veins bulging, and his breath, hot and laced with the scent of blood, sprayed across my face. “Did you do this?” he growled. Ivan’s POV: The image of the girl lying in the snow wouldn’t leave my mind. The lash marks on her back, crossing like brand marks, burned into my wolf spirit with their tainted presence. When the Grayclaw Tribe’s Alpha grinned and stepped forward, the smell of blood as his fangs pierced his lip triggered my instincts. This vile Alpha still carried her scent, but it was mixed with the foul, violent aura of his. “Did you do this?” Each word came out as a growl, wrapped in the power of my wolf spirit. The ground beneath my claws cracked, sending fragments flying and striking the terrified face of the man before me. “Grayclaw’s Alpha!” I ignored his horrified expression and the chaos around us, pinning him to the ground—my fangs hovering dangerously close to his face. “I can smell her scent on you. Did you do this to her?!” The snow behind him melted under the heat of my breath as I slammed his head onto the cobblestones. The Grayclaw Alpha, confused, still seemed lost. “Who? You mean that b*stard?” “B*stard?!” I roared in fury. “That’s how you speak of her?! You’re insulting my mate and the Silvermoon bloodline!” I released the full force of my high-ranking Alpha power, and a storm of heat swept through the courtyard, forcing everyone to tremble and drop to their knees under my overwhelming presence. “Kill them!” My wolf screamed inside me! A thunderous crash echoed in my ears. The sheer power of my Alpha presence silenced everything around us. I opened my mouth, ready to sink my fangs into the Grayclaw Alpha’s throat and taste the first drop of blood. But from the kneeling crowd, the only one brave enough to raise his head was the old werewolf holding a bone staff. Trembling, he spoke, “Hold on! He’s Susan’s father!”