86. Worth It

Tanner was struggling. The role of Alpha, thrust upon him in Gideon's absence, felt like a mantle too heavy to bear. His days were a constant battle, not just against the threats lurking beyond their territory, but also against the surge of power that now flowed through him, unbidden and often overwhelming.

While a gift to most, this power felt like a curse to him, igniting frequent outbursts over trivial matters. Tanner didn't feel ready for this responsibility, but the power within him seemed to have a will of its own, refusing to be tamed.

During one particularly tense patrol with Thomas, Tanner was convinced he could smell something sinister in the air. It was a scent he couldn't place, something he described as evil, lurking just out of sight.

Despite their efforts, they found no source for this ominous presence, but the sensation of being watched and hunted clung to them with every step they took through the woods.

Returning to the pack house, frustration and exhaustion et