The scent of roasting venison and sweet honeyed ale drifted down the long wooden corridors of the main lodge. Tonight was the first formal pack dinner since Nila had arrived, an occasion where the high-ranking families, warriors, and elders gathered to share a meal and look upon the girl their Alpha had nearly started a war to protect.

Inside Kaelen’s quarters, Nila stood before the tall silver mirror, her fingers trembling as she smoothed down the front of her new tunic. Iris had outdone herself. The fabric was a deep, rich charcoal wool, lined with soft cream silk that felt like water against Nila’s skin. A delicate silver chain, a...