Brandon stared at the tiny object tucked inside the pendant.
It wasn't a photograph or a folded note. Hidden inside the pendant was a tiny memory chip.
No bigger than his thumbnail, it rested neatly inside the hidden compartment, as though the pendant had been designed for one purpose alone—to keep it safe.
His fingers curled around the pendant as his thoughts raced. Nelson had carried it until his final breath, protecting it no matter the cost.
Brandon's jaw tightened.
"What were you hiding, Nelson?" he murmured, his eyes never leaving the tiny chip.
Meanwhile, Elara pulled out her device and called Joel, Bernard's older sibling.
The video call rang only once before it connected. A young he-wolf appeared on the screen, his hair slightly messy, as though he had rushed to answer.
"Hi, Joel," Elara said with a warm smile.
Hearing his name, Bernard leaned into the camera's view and gave his sibling a small wave.
