Allison’s POV

I closed my bedroom door quietly, clicking the latch into place.

The house had fallen into a strange lull after the chaos of the party downstairs. The scent of wolves in heat from dancing, the tang of alcohol, the faint burn of moon-blessed candles — all of it still lingered in the air, even up here.

I crossed to the corner table and dropped the heavy vinyl onto the turntable. A low scratch, then the calming hum of strings and wind instruments filled the room, drowning out what little noise still drifted up from below.

This was how I survived nights in the Hawthorn Pack. With the door locked, the music loud enough to blot out their laughter.

Now that I’d decided to go back to Plum Blossom and marry as my parents wished, I knew I’d have to resign my post here. Being Alpha Caden’s war strategist had been my bargain to remain in Hawthorn — my claws and my mind in exchange for safety.

But I couldn’t leave my wolves in disarray. Even if I was no longer staying, I wouldn’t leave a mess behind. That wasn’t my way.

So I sat at my window as dusk fell, the pack lights blinking on one by one outside, and got to work.

The stack of files was thick — patrol rosters, hunting schedules, border agreements. The kinds of things no one ever thanked you for keeping straight, but everyone noticed when they went wrong.

Hours passed before I finally removed the vinyl and stood. My back cracked when I stretched.

Downstairs was quiet now. The party had ended. The house was still.

For the first time all night, I let myself relax.

I picked up my phone and scrolled aimlessly, letting the silence settle around me. But then…

Trisha’s name popped up.

I froze instinctively. My thumb hovered for just a moment before opening her message.

“Why didn’t you like my posts?”

I blinked at it.

A minute later, another followed, “Sorry, Alli. I sent that by mistake. Please don’t be mad, okay?”

I scoffed softly. She’s too obvious.

Curiosity pricked at me anyway, and I opened her feed to see what had her so eager for my reaction.

And there it was. Several photos of her birthday party gifts, laid out to be admired by anyone with eyes.