VANESSA
I stared at the map spread across my office table, red pins marking each rogue attack over the past three months. My fingers traced the pattern forming before my eyes—deliberate, strategic, and deeply concerning.
"The eastern border was hit again last night." Miles, our pack's Gamma, pointed to a spot near the river. "Three injured, none critical. They retreated when our patrol arrived."
I added another red pin to the growing cluster. "That's the third attack in that area this month."
"Fourth," Miles corrected, his expression grim. "Remember the incident at the hunting cabin?"
I nodded, rubbing my temples. Sleep had become a luxury I couldn't afford lately. Between these escalating attacks and Leo's increasingly frequent absences, I was stretched thin. My brother, our future Alpha, had disappeared again without explanation three days ago.
"Where is Leo anyway?" Miles asked, echoing my thoughts. "He should be here for this."
