In a new light of morning. The squad had returned but in fewer numbers. Eric and all his members were intact but they had lost the sparkle in their eyes. Shawn returned alone. He left all his squad members for dead in the deep forest up north.

Manny had a sack bloodied at the bottom in his hand. He waited in the courtyard and sat by the fountain. The others went in to rest. He looked up at the balcony for his Alpha to come out. 

     “The innocent wolf returns,” Jamal came from out back.

     “I see the Luna had you on a leash for some time,” Manny rose to...