“Elder Meadow,” I snarled through gritted teeth, my eyes boring into hers with unyielding fury, the air thick with the scent of impending storm.

“You’ve gone too far over something so trivial, Malcolm,” Meadow spat back in rage, her voice a venomous hiss as she yanked at Beta Imogen’s arm, only for the motion to ignite Alpha Isaac’s wrath like dry tinder. In a flash, his massive hand clamped around Meadow’s throat, squeezing with the controlled ferocity of a predator.

“I’m warning you, don’t you dare manhandle my people,” Alpha Isaac growled, his voice booming like thunder rolling across the pack lands, a clear harbinger of violence. “I respect your...