FORTY

Cassa’s POV“Why 20, Papa?” I couldn’t help asking.“I don’t know, Cass. Your mother didn’t say. But you know her—she was full of surprises.” Papa smiled, and for once it wasn’t pained—just sad.“You’re right, Papa. Mama was.” Always the past. Never my mother in the present.I opened the box, using the cutter to slice through the tape. Papa left me alone then—he had a call he needed to take.When I lifted the lid, I found a photo album. Your 20’s collection of pictures you have taken, Cassa, my daughter. Love, Mama.

FORTY ONE

Julius’ POVI froze, staring skeptically at her as her words reverberated in my mind.I am curious what you look like in wolf form. May you show me, please?Her voice was pleading, and she was sitting right next to me in the car. I had accompanied her to the city to buy that camera, and she’d agreed through my persuasion. I kept my eyes on the road, hands steady on the wheel. We’d been traveling back to town for about half an hour now—only trees and the sides of the road in my view.“I am serious and curious,” she added, clutching her new camera like it was a treasure. Then she raised it, capturing something outside, testing it.

FORTY TWO

Julius POV“Nothing,” I said, my voice stern, eyes locked on the road.“Nothing? You look like someone punched you with how annoyed you look. Is something bothering you?” Her voice softened, concern lacing her words. She placed the camera on her lap and leaned closer, whispering, “Pack problem?”“Nothing,” I repeated, trying to steady my tone, keep it calm.“Nothing… okay,” she muttered, leaning back against the seat.The silence between us thickened, but every glance at her enthusiasm only deepened my scowl. We were getting near the plaza when I made my

FORTY THREE

Cassa's POV I stroked his smooth white fur, marveling at how soft it felt under my fingers. His silver-gray eyes bored into me, and he stood about two feet away—close enough that I could reach out and touch him without moving. He was so much larger than an ordinary wolf, and as my hand caressed his head, I felt a thrill of wonder.“Your fur’s color is like winter, Julius. How does it feel, shifting like this? Is it painful in the bone?” I asked, unable to stop my fingers from gently opening his mouth. “Sharp as a canine tooth!” I exclaimed.He growled, low and rumbling, then moved away from me. The next moment, he shifted back, standing before me in

FORTY FOUR

Cassa's POVMy mouth fell open. “What do you mean? How?” The words tumbled out, but I didn’t feel relief. Not after the fear that man had caused me. Just shock.“He was killed in the forest. He attacked another Were, or maybe he was attacked. No one knows who did it or why. But it wasn’t a rogue. No mark left behind,” Julius explained, his warm hand suddenly brushing my cheek. “You’re cold. Let’s get you inside.”“Maybe his death was retaliation,” I guessed as we stepped inside the house. “For something he did to someone?”“We can assume that,” Julius said. But then he froze as his phone rang, pulling it out with a frown. I watched him, uneasy at his sudden tension.His expression darkened as he answered, and I could see the worry in his eyes deepen to something harder—something graver. He looked at me, hesitating, as if torn about what to say.“Is everything all right?” I asked, dread curling in my stomach.“I need to leave. Now. You stay here,” he said, his voice clipped. And in an

FORTY SIX

Julius POVA surge of panic sent me rushing inside. The door was unlocked. Blood smeared the living room, bodies strewn across it—more than five men, killed gruesomely.Who could have done this? My mind raced. Albert? But there was no gunpowder scent. How could he have done this without weapons?I stared at the dead in disbelief, then forced myself toward the stairs. That’s when I saw him—Mike. His body was slumped against the wall near the stairs, bloodied, lifeless, his eyes vacant and staring at nothing, his mouth half open.No.The cold gripped me, colder than the night air. My worst fear coiled around my heart. Cassa—please no. Not her too. My teeth clenched, my jaw tight. I can’t lose her. I can’t.I forced myself to keep moving, searching the rooms. One caught my eye—blood on the floor, dried, werewolf blood. No human.I looked around, my gaze falling on the suitcase by the bed. I opened it—some of Cassa’s clothes, her things. Her scent lingered, faint but there. I moved to the