POV: Aphrodite
Dawn breaks cold and tense.
The Nightfang scouts emerge from the tree line as the sun climbs higher, making no attempt at stealth. Three of them, all male, all wearing the aggressive confidence of wolves who've never been challenged successfully. I recognize two from my time in the pack—enforcers who took pleasure in reminding lesser wolves of their place.
They don't look surprised to see me. If anything, they look satisfied, like prey that's finally stopped running.
Draco and Lucen move before I can stop them, positioning themselves between the scouts and me. Old instincts snapping into place, territorial and protective. Their wolves are close to the surface, making their eyes glow faintly in the morning light.
"Stand down," I say quietly, placing a hand on Draco's shoulder.
"They crossed into unclaimed land," he growls, not looking away from the scouts. "That's a violation."
