|Theodore|
The forest blurred past as I ran, paws pounding against the earth in a steady, relentless rhythm. Each heartbeat, each stride, echoed like the steady beat of a war drum, pushing me faster, harder. Normally, this run—wild and unrestrained—would have calmed the storm in my mind, clearing away the constant pressures that came with being Alpha of the Gilmore pack. But tonight, no amount of speed could outrun the turmoil gnawing at me.
The meeting earlier had left a bitter taste in my mouth. I’d expected pushback, but not this much. The lesser packs of southern Grimshire were hesitating yet again, unwilling to pledge their loyalty to the Gilmores. Sure, we’d secured a few alliances, some half-hearted promises that would bolster our forces, but it wasn’t enough. Not nearly enough.
