Chapter 5

The Snowridge trucks arrived before noon.

They didn't come in silence.

They roared into the courtyard with a calculated display of force—ten armed guards, gleaming armor, and Rowan at the front, flanked by Elena.

They brought crates of food, blankets, and fuel, a bounty designed to make every resident in St. Jude’s feel the sting of their own poverty.

But Rowan didn’t look at the empty supply shelves. He didn’t look at the hungry children.

His eyes were locked onto my hand.

“Give me the ring, Anya,” he said, his voice carrying the practiced, heavy authority of an Alpha who…