The next week is busy.

Reports of scouts encountering aggressive rogues. Even angry humans, armed with guns.

Three wolves are lost in the resulting skirmishes, and several are injured. While many heal within a day or two, some have spent the rest of the week in our hospital. Not all wolves heal quickly.

The snow crunches under my boots as I trudge forward, my breath visible in the frigid air. Marcus and Greg flank me in their human forms while five other wolves circle our perimeter, their thick winter coats blending with the snow-covered landscape.

"There''s another pocket ahead." My voice comes out raspy from the cold. "About fifty yards to the right of that fallen pine."

Marcus nods, his dark eyes scanning the treeline. "Same protocol as usual?"

"Yes. Keep your distance when I start the purification."

The taint feels different today—heavier, more viscous. Like tar seeping into the earth. Each step closer makes my skin prickle with unease.

It''s been getting worse.

"Ready?" Greg asks, positioning himself just behind me.

I pull off my gloves and stretch my fingers. The cold bites into my skin, but I''ve learned that direct contact makes it all easier. "As I''ll ever be."

The wolves spread out in a wider circle as I approach the contaminated area. No vegetation grows here—just dead, blackened earth in a perfect circle. The taint didn''t affect the surrounding area at first. Lately, it''s as if it''s eating into the earth itself. Before, it was like an invisible cloud living above ground. Now, it''s like it''s fusing into everything.

The ground. Trees. Every living being that passes through it. Even squirrels seem to have gone mad.

We''ve had to be careful hunting; I have to look over all the game our hunters bring home. There''s no idea what will happen if we ingested corrupted meat.

Drawing in a deep breath, I press my palms against the frozen ground. The taint immediately responds, writhing beneath the surface like a living thing. It fights me as I draw it up through the soil, into my hands.

Pain shoots through my arms, sharp and biting. The alien darkness is strange and hostile, fighting me every step of the way. My magic pushes back against it, trying to transform the corruption into pure energy.

"Breathe through it," Marcus coaches from several feet away. "You''ve got this." Of course, he doesn''t understand any of it. But he''s turned into a bit of a cheerleader lately.

Sweat beads on my forehead despite the cold. The taint resists, clinging to its corrupted form. I grit my teeth and push harder with my magic, forcing it to yield.

Slowly, agonizingly, the darkness begins to change. The pain in my arms intensifies as I convert more of the tainted energy. My hands tremble against the ground.

"Almost there," I gasp out. One final surge of magic, and the last of the corruption dissolves into pure energy. I slump forward with a grunt, exhausted.

Marcus is at my side instantly, helping me sit up. "You okay?"

"There was a small issue with some of the newer batch of wolves Delta Thorn brought in." Ivy clasps her hands in front of her. "Nothing major—just some confusion about sleeping arrangements. I took care of it."

My eyebrows rise. "Thank you for handling that. Though I''m curious why you didn''t bring it to Kellan''s attention?"

"Oh." She waves a delicate hand. "It wasn''t serious enough to bother Beta Ashbourne. He''s so busy these days."

"That''s what he''s there for." My words fall flat between us. "Any pack matter, no matter how small, should go through proper channels."

She''s testing boundaries again. Selene''s words come on a faint growl in my head.

I want to growl too, but I''m supposed to be making nice with Ivy. Fuck. The reminder makes my temples throb.

"But I do appreciate you taking initiative," I add, softening my tone. "Maybe next time we could work together on resolving these issues? I''d love to hear your perspective on how the refugees are settling in."

"Of course, Ava. Whatever you think is best." Her syrupy sweet words set my teeth on edge.

She''s not stupid enough to fall for that, you know.

Fighting the urge to roll my eyes, I just send back, I have to try. Between being out all day on purifying these stupid taints, I don''t have time to play political games.

Exhaustion weighs heavy in my bones. Four purifications in one day might have been pushing it, but what choice do I have?

"Why don''t you settle in? I''ll bring you something to eat. You''ve been working so hard," Ivy says, coming up beside me to thread her arm through mine. As much as I dislike her, she''s comfortable to lean on.

Really? Leaning on her, of all people?

But my body''s too tired to care about how it looks. No matter how much I tell it I can stand on my own, it keeps leaning against her as we head toward the Alpha cabin.

Reminding myself yet again to be nice, I say sincerely, "Thank you, Ivy."

"Of course. I''m here to help. You can rely on me anytime."

She sounds so kind in this moment, so reliable, that it''d be easy to take her at face value. But of course I balk, because I''m not so far gone in my exhaustion as to forget who I''m dealing with.

"Kellan can bring me my food," I say, realizing I don''t even want her in my home when we''re a few feet away. "But I really appreciate it."

"Are you sure? It would take so long to find him and then let him know. Neither of us have the pack bond with him..."

"But I do," Marcus interrupts. A few seconds later, he says, "Beta Kellan will be here soon. He says Elverly''s stew is great today."

Ivy''s arm tenses around mine. It''s just a second before it relaxes. "It is delightful," she agrees cheerfully. "You should love it."