Chapter 39

It’s been two days of relentless searching, but the woods are empty, and the warehouse offers no new leads. Every step I take feels heavier, my heart sinking with each false hope that fades away. The pack is exhausted, their faces marked by fatigue and frustration, and I can’t shake the guilt gnawing at me.

Callum, and my father, the pack’s alpha, finally call us together. His expression is stern, but there’s a hint of sadness in his eyes that mirrors my own. “We’ve covered a lot of ground, but we’re not making any progress,” he says, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “We need to regroup and come up with a new plan.”

The pack murmurs in agreement, their weariness evident. I know Callum is right—we’ve pushed ourselves to the limit, and continuing in this state is only going to make things worse. But it doesn’t make the decision any easier.

I stand at the edge of the gathering, my gaze fixed on the ground. The weight of responsibility presses down on me. I can’t shake the feel