**(Elara's POV)**The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Lucian's den as I pored over the official documents scattered across his dining table. My paws trembled slightly as I held the Pack Council's formal declaration."I can't believe it's real," I whispered, reading the words for the tenth time. "The Pack Council has officially redefined my silver exposure case."Lucian looked up from his moonberry coffee, his blue eyes warm with satisfaction. "What does this mean for your future plans?""I can re-enroll in the Werewolf Academy," I said, my voice filled with wonder. "Complete my training without the shadow of false accusations hanging over me."The weight of years lifted from my shoulders. Finally, I could reclaim the education that had been stolen from me."But honestly, Lucian, I want to stay here with my loved ones within our pack. I've found my place in this territory."I set down the documents and moved to sit beside him on the den seating. "Did you know I h
**(Dr. Walker's POV)**The moonlight streamed through the Pack Healer's Ward window, casting silver shadows across my healing den. For the first time in years, I didn't feel the crushing weight of loneliness pressing down on my chest.Maybe this place wasn't so terrible after all.I shifted carefully in the healing nest, mindful of my fractured leg and the glass fragments they'd removed from my wounds. The pain was manageable now, dulled by moonlight herbs and the strange sense of peace that had settled over me.Pack bonds provided companionship, that much was true. But I was beginning to understand something important—no wolf should become overly dependent on those connections.Not even mates could run alongside each other for an entire lifetime. Eventually, every wolf had to learn to stand alone within the pack hierarchy.The realization didn't sadden me as much as it should have. Perhaps it was the pain medication, or perhaps I was finally accepting what I'd always known deep
**(Dr. Walker's POV)**Blood stained the sterile walls of the Pack Healer's Ward as I finished suturing another wolf's wounds. The scent of silver and injury hung heavy in the air, making my nostrils flare with practiced concern."Dr. Walker," a familiar voice called from the corridor.I looked up to see Lucian Thorne leaning against the wall, his ceremonial robe torn and blood seeping through the fabric. His usually immaculate appearance was completely disheveled."Alpha Thorne?" I set down my surgical instruments, surprised. "Are you injured as well?"Lucian scoffed without offering any explanation for his presence. His icy blue eyes held their usual distance, but I could see pain flickering beneath the surface.I approached him with professional efficiency, my healing instincts overriding any personal animosity between us. "Let me examine those wounds."His left arm bore deep gashes, though thankfully they hadn't severed any major arteries. The cuts were clean but would requi
**(Elara's POV)**My paws trembled as I clutched the pack communication device, staring at Lucian's contact with growing panic. Still no response. The silence felt like silver claws raking across my heart."Elara, calm down," James said gently, placing a steadying paw on my shoulder. "His device might just be out of moonlight charge.""No, you don't understand!" I shook my head frantically. "Lucian is meticulous about these things. He always keeps his device charged, always answers immediately when I call."My breathing became shallow and rapid. The familiar signs of my heart condition were beginning to manifest - the fluttering sensation in my chest, the dizziness creeping in at the edges of my vision."Something terrible has happened to him," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I can feel it through our mate bond. There's this emptiness, this fear."James and Julian exchanged worried glances. They could see my distress escalating beyond normal concern."Maybe we should call Peter
**(Selena's POV)**I laughed coldly, staring at the unconscious Alpha Gray on the floor."Luna Grace is my childhood pack friend," I told Julian Foster, who was watching me with wide eyes."When she was thirteen, Luna Grace moved to Northern Ridge Territory with her pack. We kept in touch through pack communication devices."Julian waited quietly, sensing there was more."Five years ago, she formed a mate bond. An arranged marking. She sounded happy then."My voice turned bitter. "Three years ago, Luna Grace called me howling. She wanted to sever her mate bond."I kicked Alpha Gray with contempt. "She said her mate was abusing her. That she would cross into the eternal hunting grounds if she had to continue.""She filed for mate bond severance, but the Pack Council rejected it. Not enough evidence, they said."My paws clenched. "A year ago, she finally got the severance certificate. But they had a pup together, so there were still forced meetings.""Half a year ago, Luna Grac
**(Diana's POV)**The Pack Council enforcement office walls felt like they were closing in on me. I sat in the cold metal chair, my claws digging into my palms."I'm not silver-mad!" I shouted at the enforcer. "Alpha Hale was my mate! Call him!"The enforcer looked at me with pity. "Ma'am, you need to contact your pack members. See a wolf psychologist. These delusions—""They're not delusions!" I slammed my paw on the table. "He'll confirm everything!"But even as I said it, panic crept in. Who could verify my story? Then it hit me—Lucy Silver. She'd witnessed our temporary mate marking ceremony years ago.I grabbed my communication device, then froze. Lucy was dead. I'd had her killed just days ago to protect my secrets.The bitter irony made me sick. In trying to erase all traces of Thomas Reed, I'd destroyed my only witness."I had someone," I whispered. "But she's... no longer available."The enforcer nodded sympathetically. "Would you like to call family?"**(Diana's POV