The dawn broke the horizon as they approached Yellow Pack, and though Sharon had always protested that she didn't want to go home, she still crept forward with a keen sense of anticipation as the city materialized in view. She was beautiful like that, all tight in her body and her face aglow, her dark eyes drinking in the familiar landscape. She had grown up since last being in the city, and so had the city.

There were two packs in the beach town—Luthor's pack, the Tenzclaw, and the Bakin pack led by Klaus Lots. Klaus had allied with Luthor's father and kept it strong and intact when Luthor took...