Chapter 21: "The Cold Reception"

Alison's POV

The morning sun filtered through my window, casting a soft, warm glow over the room. I’d just finished my lesson with Andrew and was feeling restless, a strange energy building up inside me. Xander had encouraged me to become familiar with the Nightfang Pack’s lands and customs, but up until now, I hadn’t ventured much beyond the castle grounds. Today, something in me urged to explore, to see more of the place I was slowly beginning to call home.

I took a deep breath, straightening my shoulders. "It’s time," I murmured to myself, slipping on a light jacket and heading out. I was going to face this world outside, whether they liked me or not.

Stepping out of the castle felt like stepping into another world entirely. The gardens gave way to cobbled paths, which led to the cluster of stone buildings that made up the heart of the Nightfang Pack’s territory. The air here was thick with the smell of pine and earth, layered with the occasional waft of grilled meat or baking brea