ACE
The meeting with the elders had been torture.
For three hours, I'd sat in that stuffy conference room while they droned on about pack alliances and territorial disputes. But all I could think about was Lily upstairs, probably overthinking every conversation she'd had today.
The worst part? My mother's voice cut through the discussion like a blade.
"We need to finalize the arrangement with the Crescent Pack," she'd said, her eyes fixed on me with that look I'd come to dread. "Kayla's been very patient, but patience has its limits."
Marcus had shot me a warning glance from across the table.
"There is no arrangement," I'd said quietly.
"Ace." Mom's voice carried that tone that made me straighten my shoulders as a kid. "We've discussed this. The pack needs—"
"The pack needs their A
