Chapter 4

The howls grew closer, and I could smell them now—Benjamin's cedar and pine scent mixed with at least six other pack members, including Marcus. My heart hammered against my ribs as Luna paced anxiously within me, torn between the instinct to run and the urge to fight.

"How many?" Alexander asked quietly, his amber eyes scanning the treeline.

"Seven, maybe eight." I pressed closer to his side, drawing comfort from his steady presence. "Benjamin's brought Marcus and some of his strongest warriors."

Alexander's expression hardened. "On neutral territory. That's a violation of inter-pack law."

The first wolf burst through the…