Chapter 97. I Strip You of Your Beta Rank

Tristan

The pack compound was buzzing with activity when we arrived. Sunday night meetings were mandatory for all pack members, a time to discuss territory issues, resolve disputes, and plan for the week ahead.

I could smell Marcus’s scent the moment I walked through the main doors. He was in the conference room with the rest of my inner circle, probably discussing patrol schedules or supply issues like nothing had happened.

Like my mate wasn’t missing because of his lies.

“Tristan,” Orion said quietly as we walked through the corridors. “Remember, we’re surrounded by pack members. You need to maintain some level of control.”

I nodded, but inside, my wolf was pacing like a caged animal. The void where Athena should have been in my mind was driving me to the edge of sanity.

When I pushed open the conference room doors, conversation stopped immediately. Marcus looked up from the papers spread across the table, and for just a split second, I s