Chapter 28 Shifting Alliances

• Chad's boots crunched against frozen leaves as he approached the neutral meeting point. Dawn remained hours away, and the darkness suited his purposes perfectly. Alpha Nicholas emerged from behind a massive oak, flanked by Beta Graham, whose scarred face bore testament to countless battles.
• "You're punctual," Nicholas observed, his voice carrying the rough edge of someone accustomed to being obeyed without question. "I appreciate that in desperate wolves."
• "I'm not desperate," Chad replied, though Tolvar stirred restlessly within him. "I'm practical."