46.

Natalia sank down in front of the crude desk in her study, rubbing her tired eyes. The flickering lamp cast dancing shadows over the mess of papers and maps strewn across the worn wooden surface. She had been poring over them for hours, long after the rest of the pack had retired for the night. But sleep eluded her these days. Not when so many lives hung in the balance.

Reaching out, Nat reshuffled through the pile of notes and sketches until she found the ones she sought. Photos ripped out of an old pack record book, capturing the faces of the missing Omegas. Young, vibrant wolves who had vanished unexpectedly over the past two moons. Seven in total. No trace of them had been found, despite extensive search parties scouring the territory and beyond. It was as if they had simply been snatched away, their scents dissolved on the wind.

Natalia studied each photo, though she had long since memorized every detail. Jana's shy, sweet smile. The mischief glinting in Caleb's eyes. Sophia's k