The chill wind of the Silverwood forest whipped around Lauren, tugging at the worn edges of her cloak. Below, the sprawling, dimly lit packhouse lay silent, a stark contrast to the vibrant home it once was. Every shadow seemed to hold a memory—of her parents' laughter, now replaced by the oppressive silence under Alpha Thorne's rule.

Her fingers tightened around the hilt of the dagger at her waist, its cold steel a familiar comfort. Years had passed since that horrific night, but the burning desire for vengeance remained, a constant, searing ember in her chest. She was 'wolfless,' an outcast in the eyes of many, yet her strength was undeniable, honed through countless solitary hours of training.

Tonight, she would begin to reclaim what was hers. The first step was always the hardest, but for the Silverwood Pack, for her parents, she would pay any price.