Nathan's POV
Dad left after our short conversation. His words stuck in my mind like a warning bell. I stared out the hospital room window, watching shadows stretch across the parking lot as evening approached. His warning kept replaying, "Not everything that glitters is genuine gold."
I've always known I'm different from other Alphas. Most of them lead with iron fists and cold calculation. I've relied on compassion and understanding instead. My father handed over the Nightfall Pack years ago, but his shadow still looms over everything. Richard Anderson built our territory and doubled our business holdings. Now he stands back, watching me handle things alone.
"Focus on protecting your wife without distraction," he had said. But how could I protect her from an unknown enemy?
Alaric paced restlessly in my mind. My wolf was furious, ready to hunt down whoever had tried to harm our mate. Unlike me, he had no hesitation, no gentleness. Only the primal need to protect what was ours.
