The pack council room was rarely used for emergencies, but today it filled quickly. Cassidy had wasted no time after the three friends returned from the creek, their faces pale and voices urgent. She sent runners immediately, one to fetch Nessa and Ezra, another to find Luca and Marcus.
Now they all sat around the heavy wooden table, the afternoon light slanting through the windows and painting everything in gold. But there was nothing warm about the atmosphere in the room.
Aria sat between her mother and Liora, with Kaelan on Liora's other side. Across from them sat Nessa, the pack Luna, her intelligent eyes already sharp with concern. Beside her was Ezra, Aria's godfather, his expression grave. At the head of the table sat Luca and Marcus, the pack elders and Aria's uncles, both listening with the kind of focused intensity that came from years of leadership.
"Tell us everything," Nessa said gently, her gaze on Aria. "From the beginning."
