THIRD POV
Roman knew he should have turned back the moment he noticed the cluster of wolves ahead.
A few of them leaned against the low fence bordering the western park grounds, others scattered loosely across the clearing.
It wasn’t unusual—wolves gathered like this all the time—but the moment Roman stepped into view, something shifted.
Heads turned.
Voices dipped.
Then came the snickers.
Low at first.
Then louder.
Roman exhaled slowly, already knowing how this would go.
Mason pushed himself off the fence, that familiar smirk settling into place like he’d been waiting for this exact moment. His friend—Luca—stood nearby, arms crossed, watching with quiet amusement.
“Well, look who decided to grace our presence today,” Mason said.
A few of the others chuckled.
Roman didn’t sto
