Alaric walked next to Hazel, one arm around her waist like if he let go she'd disappear. Aurella was asleep on Dominic's shoulder behind them. Ella's screams had faded.

No one talked on the way back. The forest was quiet in that way forests get after a fight. Even wolves stayed away.

The packhouse lights were on. All of them. Every window. Like whole pack was awake and waiting.

They were.

When Hazel stepped out of treeline, every door opened.

Maids. Guards. Wolves who used to call her slave. Wolves who watched Miss Penelope hit her and did nothing. They stood in snow in bare feet and coats thrown on....