Aiden’s POV

The scent of burned fur and blood still clung to the pack grounds.

I stood at the edge of the sacred circle, boots sinking into churned mud where lightning had scorched the earth. The standing stones loomed over me, their ancient carvings now cracked and blackened.

My daughter did this.

A shiver ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the morning chill.

Behind me, Marcus cleared his throat. "The elders are waiting, Alpha."

I didn't turn. "Let them wait."

The truth was, I didn't trust myself to face them yet. Not when my hands still shook with residual adrenaline, not when every instinct screamed to...