Elias took a step back. For the first time in thirty years, the alpha smelled afraid.
Kael smiled. It was not a human expression. It was something the face did when the thing beneath the face decided to wear it like a mask. Instinct Unleashed -Chapter 9- By Kind Nightmares
Predator , the eye seemed to say. Not monster. Not yet. Elias took a step back
"You came back," Elias said. His voice was softer than Kael expected. Almost gentle. That was worse than any growl. It was not a human expression
The pack had scattered three nights ago after the incident at the silos. He could still hear the wet snap of Tobias's shoulder dislocating, still see the way Lena had looked at him—not with fear, but with the hollow recognition of someone watching a friend drown in slow motion. She had whispered, "You're still in there, Kael. Fight it."
But fighting implied a choice. And choices required a self to make them.