He had returned—but much too late. Whatever guilt had gnawed at him overnight must have finally broken through, forcing him back before the morning light had fully touched the sky.
He hadn’t expected the carnage.
The clearing was soaked in blood, littered with shards of bone, and chunks of raw, torn flesh. The stench alone was thick enough to choke on—death hanging heavy in the air.
He stopped dead in his tracks, eyes wide. His breath hitched as his stomach twisted violently.
Crimson blotches had sunk into the soil, mixing with torn cloth—his coat. The same one he had used to cover the newborn against the cold. Now, it was soaked through with blood, the fabric slashed and nearly buried beneath the horror. Jagged slivers of bone pierced through it, and he staggered.
He only made it a step or two before doubling over and vomiting onto the ground. The bitter taste in his throat did nothing to dull the icy dread that crept through his chest.
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he stumbled backward, his head shaking, his lips whispering disbelief. He had to alert the others—Rydan needed to know. Turning abruptly, he broke into a sprint, the sound of his own panicked breathing pounding in his ears as he raced back toward the camp.
He burst into the clearing, yelling frantically, voice cracked and hoarse:
“Wild wolves! There were wild wolves in our lands!”
Murmurs broke out instantly among the warriors. Confusion rippled through them. Some looked skeptical. Others glanced at each other with disbelief.
“Wild wolves?” one scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. “Seriously? Here? That doesn’t happen.”
Another one shook his head. “There’s no way. The Moon Goddess watches over these grounds. No savage creature could break that protection.”
But the beta wouldn’t back down. His head jerked in denial, voice shaking. “I swear—I saw it. Tracks, claw marks, blood everywhere. It’s real.”
Their raised voices drew more of the pack. Warriors began to gather, curiosity turning to unease. And then Rydan appeared, his presence drawing silence. His eyes blazed with irritation as he scanned the group.
“What is this noise?” he growled. His gaze fixed on the beta. “Have you lost your mind, screaming like a lunatic?”