Blackw

a faint hiss. A calm, familiar vo

voice low. "I'm in. Opera

at the Aegis Institute, a data genius who could pull

ep dive. Pull everything you can on the Blackwood Pack's financials for the last fifteen years. Asset transfers, debt holding

done. Need an

be in touch." I

to truly dismantle this pack from the ins

nly for meals. I was polite, distant, and answered any questions with the vague uncertainty of an amnesi

ery time I entered a room. Their jealousy grew with each passing day, fueled by whispers they ov

e gardens when I heard their sharp, ang

hissed. "We have to do something. We have to show ever

wolfless. She doesn't even have an inner wolf. She'll be completel

t send an observer, to follow up on... whatever happened in Mirewood. We'll ma

petty scheming, they never noticed the young maid, kneeling just a few feet away, c

West Wing observing the pack's staff. Most were terrified of Georgiana and her

short leash. She had no family connections, no power, and was a frequent target of Georgiana's cruelty. More importantly, I

She was dusting the towering shelves, her movements listless and sad. She te

, my voice gentle. "Yo

, not meet

d to speak of your mother. She said she

a flicker of pain crossed Tess

ooden charm hanging from a leather cord around h

didn't he?" I asked. "He tol

ely going to the charm. "Yes. He said it

carved from is white ash. In the old traditions, white ash doesn't shield you.

e. She stared at the charm, he

voice barely a whisper. "He was neute

built on the flimsy foundation of a powerful man's "protection," crumbl

ot to touch her, but as a

I said, my gaze unwavering. "Perhaps it's time we showed him w

hand to my face, her eyes filled