I made my way back to the pack house. Zander had ordered one of the soldiers to accompany me.

Zander and Maddox left to interrogate Damon and Emile, and the minutes had

crawled by as I anxiously waited for their return. The atmosphere in the pack house had shifted, a palpable tension hanging in the air. Whispers and hushed conversations echoed through the hallways, spreading the news faster than wildfire. The entire pack was abuzz with curiosity and concern, gossiping about Damon and Emile.

Finally, the moment arrived when Zander and Maddox returned. My eyes immediately sought out Zander’s face, searching for any hint of the information he had gathered. His expression was an enigma, his features a mask that betrayed nothing. It was the kind of unreadable demeanor that made it impossible to guess anything.

However, it was Maddox who didn’t look himself. His usually strong and composed facade had crumbled, replaced by an expression of utter devastation.

“Zander, I told you,” Zander’s mother began to speak, her voice carrying a note of caution. “You can’t trust everyone. You have to be extra cautious and careful, especially because you’re so close to…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Zander’s growl silenced her abruptly. “Mother!”