Chapter 33

• I was surprised to see how many people there were. The gathered wolves were bathed in golden light from the torches that dotted the clearing's perimeter. Alphas gathered in groups, followed closely by their Betas, while warriors dotted the edges, keeping watch like sentries. I had grown up seeing gatherings like this from afar—when my father was still alive, still Alpha. But I had never stood at the center of one. Until now.
• Logan stood at my right, steady as ever. On my left was Kelvin, who was more subdued but just as powerful. Both of them remained silent despite the tension between them crackling like a live wire. Not here. Not now.
• Alpha Gareth, the Ironclaw pack's leader, appeared out of the crowd. He was old enough to have known my father, yet his face was one of mistrust mixed with curiosity rather than friendliness.