Chapter 82

ALPHA KONAN’S POV  The air was crisp and clean, tinged with moisture from the late afternoon rain. My paws sank slightly into the earth, the leaves crunching beneath me. The familiar feeling, which usually grounded me and connected me with nature, wasn’t working today.     Nothing felt right.     I pushed myself harder, forcing my legs to move faster. But no matter how much I tried to outrun it, she was there, in every step, in every breath I took. Her memories from breakfast clung to me, following me through the day. They wouldn’t leave.     Elyan, my wolf, snarled in frustration. His thoughts tangled with mine, making it hard to focus. He was restless, hungry for something I couldn’t give. His growl of protest echoed in my mind, but I couldn’t let him take over again, not like he had during breakfast. I was glad she hadn’t noticed.     She had been bold in the pack meeting, I’d give her that. Wearing that same dress—the one she wore when she first attended. Back then, I’d seen her as