ALDRIC

When I arrived at that square and didn’t see Valeria, my blood ran cold.

I immediately tried to call out to her through the bond, but she seemed too far away.

I followed her scent like a madman until we found the Alpha’s son’s wheelchair abandoned in an inner courtyard.

Some people shared bits of what they had heard or seen.

She was in trouble again—reckless, chasing after a stranger.

I knew she was doing it for the pup, but risking her life like this, exposing herself to danger, made my blood boil with the urge to bend her over my knee and spank her for her foolishness.

“Valeria, I won’t punish you if you’re safe. I swear I won’t even scold you—just please, stay alive.”

I begged in my mind, running at full speed through the pack, nearly shifting into my beast, leaving the Alpha struggling to keep up behind me.

But when I reached that decrepit house, I could feel the rats escaping through the back. I didn’t have time for those men—I would hunt them down later.

Right now, the ov