An Unexpected Guest and a Fragile Alliance

VANESSA

I stared at the note in my hand, reading those four words over and over until they burned into my mind.

"Moonstone is next."

My fingers trembled slightly as I folded the paper and tucked it into my pocket. I needed to think clearly. To plan. To lead.

Grabbing my phone, I called Miles, my trusted Gamma.

"Triple the patrols around the estate," I ordered, keeping my voice steady despite the fear clawing at my throat. "Full perimeter checks every hour. No one enters without direct clearance from me."

"What happened?" Miles asked, immediately alert.

"Just a precaution," I lied. The last thing I needed was panic spreading through the pack. "I'll explain later."

After ending the call, I paced my room, mind racing. The treaty signing was supposed to bring peace, but Olivia's warning and this note suggested we were facing something far more dangerous than political disagreements.

My phone buzzed with a text from the front gate security.