LUCAS

    The frost of winter thaws, giving way to the brisk air of spring. The days drag on, each moment blurring into the next as my frustration builds. Weeks have passed since that fateful night at the Lunar Gala, and still, the Blackwood Pack''s intentions remain shrouded in mystery, even with summer peeking around the corner. My wolf paces restlessly within me, yearning for answers, for action, for her.

    My obsession grows.

    I slam my fist on the desk, the impact reverberating through the room. Kellan, ever the loyal beta, barely flinches. He knows better than to disturb me when I''m like this, consumed by the need to unravel the web of secrets that surrounds us.

    A missive arrived last week from Alpha Blackwood, a terse notification that his beta''s daughter, Jessa Grey, would be attending the local university here in Granite City. The balls on that asshole, sending her into our territory without so much as a proper request for permission.

    It''s an unspoken rule among our kind, a courtesy extended to the ruling pack when an outsider plans to stay within their domain.

    I can''t help but wonder if this is another ploy, another move in the twisted game that Blackwood seems intent on playing. Jessa''s presence here, so close to the heart of our pack, sets my teeth on edge. What secrets does she carry? What lies will she spin to further her alpha''s agenda?

    My thoughts drift naturally to her, the girl who haunts my every waking moment. Ava. The memory of her scent, her touch, the way she surrendered to me in the garden—it''s seared into my very being. And yet, my hatred grows by the day.

    I push myself away from the desk, pacing the length of my office like a caged beast. The cool air brought in by an open window does little to soothe my restless spirit. I need answers.

    "Kellan," I bark, my voice slicing through the silence. "I want eyes on Jessa Grey the moment she sets foot in Granite City. I want to know her every move, every breath she takes. And if you find even a whisper of information about her sister..."

    I leave the sentence hanging, the implication clear. Kellan nods, his expression grim. He understands the gravity of the situation, the weight that rests upon our shoulders.

    "We''ll show them what happens when they try to mess with the Westwood Pack." There''s no other option.

    I turn to face the window, my gaze sweeping over the city that is mine to protect. The Blackwood Pack may be able to hold their secrets, but they have no idea who they''re dealing with. I will uncover the truth, no matter the cost.

    * * *

    A sharp knock at the door jolts me awake, scattering the papers strewn across my desk. I blink, trying to clear the fog of sleep from my mind as I realize I must have dozed off while poring over the latest reports from Granite City.

    "Come in," I call out, my voice rough.

    The door swings open, revealing one of my deltas, Ryder Thorn. He enters the room, his posture stiff and his expression guarded. I can sense his unease, the way he seems to be holding back.

    "What is it?" I ask, straightening in my chair. No alpha should be caught sleeping on the job.

    He clears his throat, his eyes flicking to the mess of documents on my desk before meeting my gaze. "One of our scouts sent an update from Blackwood territory. I thought you''d want to see it immediately. It was sent to my e-mail in urgency in a private attachment, printed, and sealed with no eyes upon the contents."

    He hands me a sealed envelope, the paper crisp beneath my fingers. I nod, setting it aside for the moment, trying not to show how hard my heart is jolting in my chest. But before I can dismiss him, he speaks again, his tone hesitant.

    "Alpha, if I may... Do you really need to spend so much time and energy chasing down this girl from the Blackwood Pack? Shouldn''t we be focusing on our own pack, on the issues that directly affect us?"

    Irritation hits me harder than it should. I have always refrained from dismissing sensible inquiries, because shutting down their voices is a slippery slope to despotism. Like the Blackwood Pack. And yet, I can''t help the words that come out anyway. "Are you questioning my judgment, Delta?"