The regional Alpha meeting took place at the Council Grounds, an ancient stone circle that had witnessed centuries of pack negotiations. Aria hadn't expected to attend, but Dante had insisted she come as part of Nightshade's delegation.
"You have valuable insight into what drives rejected wolves," he'd explained. "And I want you by my side."
Now, standing in the stone circle as Alphas from five different packs gathered, Aria tried to ignore the churning in her stomach. Because one of those Alphas was Kade.
She saw him the moment he arrived with Garrett and two other Silvermoon warriors. He looked better than the last time she'd seen him, more put together, but there was still a haunted quality to his eyes. When his gaze found her standing beside Dante, she saw him physically flinch.
"A
