Chapter 6

After I arrived in Antarctica, I threw myself into research right away.

The land stretched endlessly in white—cold, vast, silent. My wolf form bounded across the snow, carefree and wild, chasing flurries that danced like spirits in the wind.

Here, there was no deceit, no scheming—just me and nature, stripped bare of everything else.

Every day was full and exhausting, but in a way that made me feel alive. My work consumed me completely.

Then one day, my professor called.

"Zoe, how have you been lately?" His voice carried a hint of warmth.

"I'm fine," I said with a smile. "The research is going well."

He paused awhile. I could hear the hesitation through the static.

"Zoe… your fathers are looking for you."

My chest tightened.

"They've searched every corner of the Silver Moon Pack territory," he continued softly. "Even the Northern Alliance is involved."

I froze. The words struck something deep and unsteady inside me.

Were they looking for me because I'd left—or because they f