KAEL’S POV
I sat in my study, my fingers gripping the pen as I stared down at the papers spread across my desk. The reports blurred together, the words meaningless. I was supposed to be going over the latest financial records, reviewing patrol logs, and approving supply orders for the pack.
But my mind was elsewhere.
On her.
Riley.
Even now, the scent of her blood lingered in my senses, faint but enough to make my wolf restless. The sight of her battered body, the way she had barely been able to keep her eyes open before slipping into unconsciousness, it played over and over in my mind.
I exhaled sharply, pushing the thoughts away. This wasn’t like me. I didn’t get distracted. I didn’t dwell on things I couldn’t control.
A knock at the door.
“Come in,” I said, my voice steady, cold
