Chapter 12: The Howling Storm Gathers

The sanctuary was a forgotten hunter’s cabin, nestled deep in a fold of the mountains beyond the official Moonwood borders. To Emilia, its cramped, dusty interior felt more luxurious than the Alpha’s mansion ever had. The door had a sturdy bolt. Leo worked in silence, his movements efficient as he cleaned her wounds with a practiced hand. The antiseptic stung, but Emilia bore it without a sound, her gaze fixed on the flickering flame of the oil lamp. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken questions. Finally, as he wrapped a bandage around her deeply bruised forearm, she spoke, her voice hoarse. “The pack?” “In an uproar,” Leo said without looking up. “Wesley is spinning the narrative. You’re not just a betrayed mate anymore; you’re a thief who stole sensitive pack data and attempted to sell it to a rival clan before fleeing. He’s declared you an enemy of the state.” A cold knot tightened in Emilia’s stomach. It was a masters