Chapter 23

Rio's POV

My mother’s expression hardened as she processed the information, and the strategic wheels turned in her mind. "Gather the warriors. We will investigate this disturbance immediately," she commanded, her voice cutting through the tension in the air.

The beta wolf nodded, turning to relay the orders to the gathered pack warriors. As he hurried off, Mother turned her gaze back to me, the weight of her scrutiny heavy on my shoulders.

"Rio," she began, her tone firm but tinged with concern. "We will discuss this so-called 'delicate situation' after we have dealt with the matter at hand. But mark my words, secrets can unravel, especially within a pack as close-knit as ours. Now, let's see what is happening at the border gates.”

I swallowed hard, the gravity of her words settling like a stone in the pit of my stomach. Despite the cloak of secrecy we had tried to maintain, the truth seemed now racing towards the surface, threatening to expose the delicate