Chapter Seventy Five: New Beginnings

One month after Sera's death, Hope wakes up and realizes something has shifted.

The grief is still there—probably always will be—but it's no longer the first thing she feels each morning. Instead, she feels curiosity about the day ahead, interest in the pack business waiting for her attention, and even a spark of anticipation for her training session with Lux.

Progress. Small, gradual, but real.

Cameron knocks on her door at precisely seven a.m.—his habit of punctuality is both endearing and occasionally annoying.

"Morning, Hope. Territory patrol reports came in overnight. Nothing urgent, but something is interesting you should see."

Hope joins him in the office, where he's laid out patrol logs with several sections highlighted.

"What am I looking at?"

"Increased rogue activity along our western border. Not hostile—they're just passing through. But the numbers are unusual. We typically see five to ten rogues per month. This month, we've had forty-three."

"Forty-three?" Hope studies th