Chapter 45

• Aurora's POV
• The familiar scent of pine and wolf musk filled my nostrils as I approached the Nightshade Pack territory. My heart raced, a mixture of anticipation and dread coursing through my veins. I'd been gone for weeks, exploring my newfound abilities and grappling with the weight of my heritage. But it was time to face the music – and the men I'd left behind.
• As I crossed the pack borders, I felt the shift in the air. They knew I was here. Within moments, I heard the pounding of paws against earth, and then Ethan burst into the clearing, his wolf form magnificent and fierce. His eyes locked onto mine, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in their depths – relief, anger, hurt, and something deeper I wasn't ready to name.