By the time Elena and Gabriel reached the outer area of her father's territory, the air had already changed.
The ground carried a heavier scent, something wild and dominant, and even the wind seemed to move more cautiously, like it knew whose land this was.
In the distance, a large group came out of her father's cave. Beast wolves. Dozens of them.
Their presence alone was enough to make the smaller creatures disappear into hiding.
At the centre of them was Alpha Damon speaking with her father. He was tall, composed, and carried that cold authority that made people instinctively lower their heads. Beside him walked Hermione, her steps graceful, her expression calm, but her eyes sharp, as if she was always calculating something.
Elena folded her arms. "Of course she's here too."
Gabriel stepped forward first as they closed the distance.
"Alpha Damon," he greeted smoothly, his tone polite but never lowering itself. "May I have a moment of your time?"
