Page 126 of Savage Games

A towering spruce tree stands at the center of the compound, surrounded by carefully tended flower beds that add splashes of color to the otherwise rustic setting.

Aaron steps forward from the group, tall and lean, with sharp features and watchful eyes.

"Alpha," he says, inclining his head to Wyatt.Then, after a brief hesitation, he adds, "Luna.Welcome back."

"Aaron, right?"Wyatt asks, his voice neutral but carrying.

The man nods.

"Thank you for maintaining order in our absence."Wyatt continues, addressing not just Aaron, but also the gathered pack."We appreciate your patience during the transition.I know this change seems sudden, but from what I gather from the wolves I’ve met at the Games, long overdue."

His calm authority seems to ease some of the tension in the air.A few wolves step closer, their postures becoming less guarded.

An older woman approaches, her silver-streaked hair pulled back in a tight bun.It takes me a moment to place her.Sarah, who used to run the pack kitchens.

"Naomi," she says, her voice warm with what seems like genuine relief."It's good to see you."

"Sarah," I reply, surprised by the welcome.

She glances at the others, then back at us."We all...we want to apologize.For what Brad did.For what happened to you and your sister."

Murmurs of agreement ripple through the crowd.

"We didn't know," a younger man adds."Not all of it.Not until the council representatives came to speak with us."

"How could we not know?"an older man counters, guilt heavy in his voice."We should have seen something was wrong with your sister.That Rowan was always a piece of work.Finding his fated mate didn’t mean a personality transplant."

A ripple of unease passes through the gathered wolves at the name.

"How is Maddie?"a woman asks hesitantly."Is she...is she okay?"

I tense slightly."She's staying with Alpha Reynolds for now, to watch the rest of the Games.She's healing."

"Rowan used to say she wasn't well."Sarah explains, her expression troubled."That she would hurt herself on purpose when her wolf was sad.That she needed to be locked up, but he didn’t have the heart to do it."

Anger flares in my chest."That was a lie."

"We know that now," Aaron says with regret.

The pack grows restless, shifting nervously as the conversation touches on painful truths.

I feel Wyatt's aura expand slightly beside me, a subtle wave of calm authority rolling out over the gathered wolves.

"I understand you're concerned," he says, his deep voice carrying easily across the space between us."You're worried about retribution for following Brad.For not helping Naomi and Maddie when they needed it."

No one denies it.

"We’re more interested in looking forward than back."Wyatt continues."What matters now is what we build from here."

The relief amongst the pack is palpable.

"We've prepared a welcome for you," Aaron says after a moment."Nothing elaborate, but...we thought you might like to meet everyone properly."

"We'd like that," I say before Wyatt can respond.

Aaron nods, some of the tension leaving his shoulders."This way, then."

He leads us toward the largest building, the pack hall, where meetings and celebrations are held.As we walk, more wolves emerge from cabins and other buildings to join the procession with curious eyes.

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