The forest was cloaked in shadow, its dense canopy of towering pines and sprawling oaks filtering the pale silver of the moonlight. Wisps of mist curled along the underbrush, weaving through ancient roots and fallen leaves. Soft beams of moonlight pierced the gaps in the treetops, creating fleeting patterns that danced on the forest floor like ghostly echoes. The air was thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and pine needles, mingling with the faint musk of wolves that roamed the territory. A gentle breeze whispered through the branches, its rhythm as steady as a heartbeat, as though the forest itself mourned the turmoil that its alpha carried tonight.

Graham stood at the edge of the northern forest, his figure almost indistinguishable from the surrounding shadows. His sharp profile was illuminated by a stray beam of moonlight, revealing features marred by the weight of failure and regret. The cool night air pressed against his skin, doing little to quell the firestorm of emotions brewing within him. This forest had always been his sanctuary, the place he came to untangle the threads of his thoughts. But tonight, it felt like a vast, indifferent witness to his inner turmoil—a mirror reflecting back the chaos he could not escape.

The towering trees loomed like sentinels, their gnarled roots twisting through the earth like veins anchoring them to a history far older than Storybrooke itself. The underbrush was soft and springy beneath his boots, muffling his restless pacing. Nearby, a narrow stream trickled over smooth stones, its gentle murmur a soothing contrast to the storm raging inside his heart. Yet even the tranquil song of the water could not drown out the memories of Eden.

The oppressive bass of the music. The wraiths descending like shadows incarnate. And Regina—the Queen Alpha—emerging with a presence so commanding, so feral, that it had rooted him in place. Her glowing red eyes, filled with fury and resolve, had cut through the chaos like a blade. She had acted when he could not, shielding Sabine in a moment that redefined what it meant to be an alpha.

Graham's fists clenched at the memory, his nails biting into his palms. Sabine had been one of his own, a beta he had trusted implicitly. And now she was gone—under Regina's protection. It gnawed at him, this failure to protect her, to safeguard his pack. The role of alpha, once a source of pride and purpose, now felt like a chain pulling him deeper into doubt.

The distant howl of a wolf pierced the silence, a haunting sound that sent a shiver down his spine. It was both a call and a reminder: he was not alone. His pack was waiting for him, their faith in him fractured but not yet shattered. But how could he face them when he himself was drowning in uncertainty? They deserved strength, assurance—a leader who could guide them through the darkness. And tonight, he wasn't sure he could be that leader.

"Sabine," he murmured, her name slipping from his lips like a confession. She had been more than a packmate—she had been family. And now she was gone, taken to a territory where he had no right to follow. Was it weakness to let her go? Or strength to accept that Regina could protect her better than he ever could?

The soft crunch of leaves behind him snapped him from his thoughts. Graham turned sharply, his senses sharpening as he caught the familiar scent of one of his own.

Cosette emerged from the shadows, her youthful face pale in the moonlight. Her expression was a mixture of tension and hesitation, her usual eagerness replaced with unease. "Graham," she said softly, stepping closer. "The others are waiting. They're… they're restless."

He nodded, her words a reminder of the burden he could not shirk. Of course, they would be restless. His silence, his inaction, had left a void that doubt and fear were eager to fill. "I'll be there in a moment," he replied, his voice steady despite the storm within.

Cosette lingered, her gaze searching his face. "They… they want to know what happened," she said cautiously. "What really happened."

Graham's jaw tightened. "They'll have their answers," he said simply. "Go on. I'll follow."

Satisfied, though clearly unsettled, Cosette nodded and slipped back into the shadows, her footsteps fading into the rustle of the forest. Graham exhaled sharply, his breath misting in the cool air. It was time.

The clearing, a natural amphitheater surrounded by towering oaks, was illuminated by the warm glow of a central fire. The pack was already gathered, their faces lit by the flickering flames. They sat in a loose circle, their postures tense and their expressions shadowed with doubt. Cosette stood near the front, her youthful features set with determination despite the worry in her eyes. To her right, Archer and Caius murmured in low tones, their grim expressions betraying their unease.

As Graham entered the clearing, all eyes turned to him. The weight of their gazes was suffocating, each one filled with unspoken questions and accusations. He paused at the edge of the circle, his broad shoulders squared, before stepping forward to take his place at the fire's center.

For a long moment, there was only silence, the crackle of the fire the only sound in the still night. Graham let the quiet stretch, allowing the tension to settle fully before he spoke.

"Eden was a trap," he began, his voice low but steady. "The Keepers used it to distract us, to keep us occupied with the wraiths while they executed their true plan. They wanted Sabine. And I…" He hesitated, the words bitter on his tongue. "I failed to protect her."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the pack, some soft and uncertain, others sharper with frustration. Cosette's voice rose above the others, cutting through the din like a blade. "And Regina?" she asked, her tone demanding. "Did she take her by force, or did you just let her walk away?"

Graham's gaze met hers, his expression hard. "Regina stepped in to protect Sabine when I couldn't. She's safer with Regina now than she ever was under the Keepers' watch."

"Safer?" Cosette's voice trembled with anger. "She's gone. She's not part of our pack anymore. How is that safer?"

"Because she's alive!" Graham's voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Do you think I wanted this? That I didn't try to stop it? The Keepers were ready to destroy her, and I… I couldn't risk her life."

"So, what now?" Caius asked, his calm demeanor hiding the sharp edge of his question. "Do we just pretend this didn't happen? Do we let the Keepers win?"

"No." Graham's reply was firm, his tone brooking no argument. "We regroup. We get stronger. The Keepers won't catch us off guard again."

Archer leaned forward, his sharp features illuminated by the firelight. "And what about Sabine? Do we abandon her?"

Graham's jaw tightened. "Sabine made her choice. She's not under my protection anymore."

The clearing fell into an uneasy silence, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Cosette's sharp gaze burned into him, her anger and disbelief clear. "You expect us to just accept that? To believe that we're safe when you've already failed once?"

Graham stepped closer to the fire, his towering presence commanding attention. "I understand your anger, Cosette. I feel it too. But you have to trust me. I made the call I thought was best, and I stand by it."

The pack's murmurs died down, their loyalty tested but not yet broken. One by one, they nodded, their silent gestures affirming their place in the circle. When Cosette finally nodded, her hesitation lingering, Graham exhaled. The firelight danced in their eyes, a fragile unity forged in the embers of their doubt.

The forest watched, silent and unyielding, as its wolves prepared for the battles ahead.

The wrought-iron gates of the Mills mansion groaned open as Regina approached, her arms cradling the unconscious Sabine. The moonlight bathed the grand estate in a pale glow, its silvery sheen accentuating the ivy creeping up the stone facade. But the soft light did little to diminish the tense air surrounding her. Outside, Ruby and the rest of the pack lingered, their faces a mixture of worry and defiance. None of them had spoken a word during the walk from Eden to the mansion, but their presence alone was a statement: they weren't leaving.

As Regina neared the front door, Henry Sr. stood on the steps, his face etched with concern. His usual warm demeanor was replaced by a tension that mirrored the pack's unease. Beside him, Cora maintained her regal posture, though her sharp eyes betrayed her worry. Regina didn't have to say anything; the sight of Sabine in her arms spoke volumes.

"What happened to her?" Henry Sr. asked, his voice trembling slightly as he descended the steps to meet her. He reached out to touch Sabine's forehead but stopped short, his hand hovering as though afraid to disturb her.

"She'll be fine," Regina said firmly, though her tone carried an edge of exhaustion. "I'll explain later."

Cora's gaze narrowed, darting between Regina and Sabine. "Later?" she repeated, her tone clipped. "This isn't something you can brush off, Regina."

"Not in front of Henry," Regina snapped, her patience already fraying. She glanced over her shoulder, her expression softening as her eyes landed on her son. Henry stood in the doorway, dressed in his pajamas, his small figure dwarfed by the grand frame of the entrance. His face was pale, his wide eyes filled with worry.

"Mom?" he called out, his voice small. "Is she okay?"

Regina forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "She will be, sweetheart. Go back to bed. I'll come tuck you in soon."

"But—" Henry began, his gaze flicking to Sabine.

"No buts," Regina interrupted gently but firmly. "Please, Henry. I'll explain everything later."

Reluctantly, Henry nodded and retreated into the house, though he lingered just inside the doorway, peeking out through the crack.

Regina sighed and turned to Cora and her father. "She was drugged. Efron spiked her drink at Eden. I'll have the doctor come and flush it out of her system."

Cora's lips pressed into a thin line, her disapproval evident. "The Keepers have always played dangerous games, but this—"

"Enough," Regina cut her off, her tone brooking no argument. "We'll talk later. Right now, I need to get her settled."

With that, Regina carried Sabine into the house, her arms straining slightly under the weight of the unconscious woman, but her steps steady with purpose. The soft creak of the front door echoed through the silent mansion as she stepped inside. Ruby lingered at the threshold, her posture tense as she cast a glance back at the pack. They remained outside, clustered near the backyard's edge where the forest loomed like a shadowed wall. Under Ruby's sharp, watchful eye, the pack exchanged low murmurs, their unease palpable in the cool night air. Cora and Henry Sr. shared a look of silent understanding before following Regina through the doorway.

Inside the mansion, the warmth of the dim lighting provided a stark contrast to the chill that had seeped into Regina's bones. She climbed the grand staircase with deliberate care, each step heavy with the burden of responsibility. Reaching the guest room, she pushed the door open with her shoulder and crossed the threshold, her expression softening just slightly as she laid Sabine gently onto the bed. The younger woman stirred faintly, her brows twitching as though caught in a distant dream, but she didn't wake. Regina brushed a strand of hair from Sabine's clammy forehead, her fingers pausing briefly as though silently willing her to recover.

With a quiet sigh, Regina straightened and stepped back. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she quickly dialed the house doctor. "I need you to come to the mansion immediately," she said, her voice calm but firm as she outlined Sabine's condition. Once the call ended, she lingered by the bedside for a moment longer, her eyes scanning the unconscious figure as though searching for answers Sabine couldn't yet provide. Finally, she turned and left the room, shutting the door behind her with a quiet click. She found Henry standing in the doorway, his eyes wide with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

"Henry," she said softly. "You should be in bed."

"What happened to her?" he asked, his voice trembling. "Is she… Is she going to be okay?"

Regina knelt in front of him, placing her hands gently on his shoulders. "She's going to be fine, I promise. She's just sick right now, but the doctor is coming to help her."

"But what happened?" Henry pressed. "Why is she here? Did someone hurt her?"

Regina hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Something bad happened at Eden tonight. There were people there who tried to hurt Sabine, people who don't care about playing fair. But I stopped them, Henry. I protected her."

Henry's brow furrowed. "Is it because she's like you?"

"Yes," Regina admitted, her voice steady. "But that's why it's so important for me to help her. She's part of my pack now, and we look out for each other."

Henry nodded slowly, though his worry didn't completely fade. "Okay… But you'll protect us too, right? Me and Grandpa and Grandma… and Emma too?"

"Always," Regina said firmly. She pulled him into a hug, her heart aching at the fear in his voice. "Now, go back to bed. You're safe here. I promise."

Reluctantly, Henry nodded and allowed her to lead him back to his room. Once he was tucked in, Regina kissed his forehead and whispered, "Sweet dreams," before slipping out of the room.

Outside, the tension among the pack was palpable. Ruby stood with her arms crossed, her sharp gaze sweeping over the group. Fey paced near the edge of the lawn, her agitation clear in the way she muttered under her breath. Caius and Tobias stood near the center, their voices low as they exchanged theories about what had happened at Eden. Archer crouched nearby, his fingers absently tracing patterns in the dirt, while Vera and Kieran sat together on the grass, their expressions anxious.

"Where's Mason?" Fey asked abruptly, her voice breaking the uneasy silence. "He's not here. Shouldn't he have been back by now?"

Ruby's frown deepened. "He was with us earlier. I don't know where he went."

"Well, that's just great," Fey muttered, resuming her pacing. "First Sabine, now Mason. Are we just going to keep losing people one by one?"

"We don't know what's happened yet," Tobias said, his tone calm but firm. "Jumping to conclusions won't help."

"It won't hurt either," Fey shot back. "At least I'm paying attention."

Archer glanced up, his sharp eyes narrowing. "Fey, you're not the only one worried. We all are. But panicking isn't going to solve anything."

Ruby raised a hand, silencing the brewing argument. "Enough. We don't know where Mason is, but right now, we need to focus on what we do know." She turned her gaze to the group. "What happened to Sabine was wrong, and it's clear the Keepers and Guardians are playing a bigger game. We need to figure out what that game is before we lose anyone else."

"Do we even know if she's going to be okay?" Vera asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "She looked so… fragile."

"Regina wouldn't have taken her if she couldn't help her," Kieran replied, his tone reassuring. "Sabine's in the best place she could be right now."

"That doesn't make it any easier," Fey muttered, though her voice had lost some of its sharpness. "She's not one of us anymore. And now Mason's missing. How much more are we supposed to take?"

"We're supposed to take as much as we need to," Tobias said, his calm demeanor steadying the group. "We're a pack. We stick together."

Ruby nodded, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Tobias is right. We can't let this break us. Whatever the Keepers are planning, we'll face it together."

The pack fell into a tense silence, the weight of their situation settling over them like a heavy fog. Fey crossed her arms and looked away, but Ruby could see the worry etched into her features despite her sharp words. Archer and Caius exchanged a glance, their expressions grim but resolute. Even Vera, the softest among them, seemed to gather some strength from Ruby's words.

Back in the living room, Cora and Henry Sr. waited, their expressions grave. Regina joined them, her exhaustion evident but her resolve unshaken.

"What aren't you telling us?" Cora asked, her tone sharp.

Regina sighed and sank into an armchair. "The Keepers used Eden as a distraction. They didn't expect me to protect Sabine. Whatever their real plan is, this was just the beginning."

Henry Sr. frowned. "You think they're targeting the pack?"

"I don't think," Regina said, her voice cold. "I know they are. And we need to be ready."

Cora crossed her arms, her gaze narrowing. "And Sabine? What happens to her now?"

"She's staying," Regina replied firmly. "She's under my protection now."

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway snapped Regina out of her thoughts. She stood by the guest room door, her fingers brushing the edge of the doorframe as she gazed down the dimly lit hallway. Outside, the faint echo of the engine died, followed by the soft crunch of shoes on the gravel. Ruby had returned to the backyard with the pack, leaving the mansion enveloped in an uneasy silence.

Moments later, the sound of footsteps climbing the grand staircase reached her ears. Dr. Whale appeared at the top landing, his white coat slightly askew, a medical bag in hand. His expression was a mix of clinical detachment and faint curiosity as he glanced around, taking in the opulence of the Mills mansion.

Dr. Whale's sharp eyes scanned the hallway before settling on Regina. "I came as quickly as I could," he said, his tone brisk and professional as he stepped toward the guest room. His gaze flickered to Sabine lying on the bed, her pale face and shallow breathing speaking volumes.

Regina stepped aside, motioning for him to enter. "She was drugged at Eden," she explained, her voice clipped. "The effects haven't worn off yet."

Dr. Whale set his medical bag on the bedside table, already pulling on a pair of gloves. His expression was calm, though a flicker of curiosity crossed his face as he took in the opulent surroundings of the Mills mansion. "Eden," he muttered, shaking his head. "That place always has a reputation. But this…" He gestured toward Sabine. "This looks worse than the usual spiked drink cases I've seen."

Outside, the pack stirred uneasily as they caught the scent of the unfamiliar human inside the mansion. Ruby, standing near the edge of the lawn, sensed the rising tension and immediately raised a hand to calm them.

"Relax," she said firmly, her sharp gaze darting toward Fey, who was already pacing in agitation. "He's just a doctor. Regina wouldn't have called him if she didn't trust him."

Fey stopped mid-step, crossing her arms. "Trusting humans never ends well," she muttered. "You know that."

"You don't have to like it," Ruby snapped, her patience wearing thin. "But Sabine needs help. Unless you're suddenly an expert on drugged wolves, maybe let him do his job."

Fey let out a sharp exhale, her eyes flicking toward the house. The rest of the pack exchanged uneasy glances, but no one challenged Ruby further.

Inside, Dr. Whale had already begun working, his movements precise and efficient. He hooked Sabine up to a saline IV, carefully monitoring her vitals. The soft beep of his portable equipment broke the stillness of the room.

"She's dehydrated," he murmured, more to himself than to Regina. "Whatever they used, it's potent, but it doesn't appear lethal. Her body's just overwhelmed." He adjusted the drip on the IV, his brow furrowed in concentration. "The IV will help flush the toxins out. It might take a few hours, maybe until morning, for her to stabilize."

Regina stood at the foot of the bed, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "And after that?" she asked, her voice sharp with worry.

"She'll need rest and hydration," Dr. Whale replied, glancing at her. His tone softened slightly. "She's lucky you got her out when you did. Another few hours, and the damage could've been irreversible."

Regina's jaw tightened as she nodded. "She'll have everything she needs."

Dr. Whale removed his gloves and packed up his bag, his demeanor shifting back to brisk professionalism. "Call me if anything changes, but she should pull through. Just keep an eye on her."

With that, he left the room, his footsteps fading down the stairs. The tension in the mansion eased slightly with his departure, but Regina remained by Sabine's side, her gaze fixed on the steady drip of the IV. The younger woman stirred faintly, her lips parting as though to speak. Regina leaned closer, her pulse quickening.

"Sabine," she murmured softly. "It's okay. You're safe now."

Sabine's eyes fluttered open, unfocused and glassy. Her voice was barely a whisper. "Efron… Guardians… Mason…"

Regina's brow furrowed, her heart sinking. "Mason? What about Mason? What did they do?"

Sabine's hand twitched weakly, her fingers grasping at the air. "Upstairs… they… took him… not me…" Her voice broke into a rasping cough.

"Shh," Regina soothed, brushing a strand of hair from Sabine's damp forehead. "You're safe now. Rest."

Sabine's lips moved again, but her words were barely audible. "Not about me… the Keepers… they want…" Her voice trailed off, and her body went limp as she slipped back into unconsciousness.

The fragmented words echoed in Regina's mind, stirring a rising dread. Mason. Upstairs. Took him. Her thoughts were interrupted by hurried footsteps approaching the guest room. Ruby appeared in the doorway, her face grim and her shoulders tense.

"Regina," she said sharply, her voice laced with urgency. "We can't reach Mason. He's not answering his phone, and no one's seen him since we left Eden."

Regina's stomach churned as the pieces began falling into place. Sabine's cryptic words suddenly made sense. "They took him," she said, standing. "The Guardians must have grabbed him while they distracted us with Sabine."

Ruby's fists clenched, her sharp nails digging into her palms. "If they've hurt him…"

"They'll pay," Regina interrupted, her voice cold and resolute. "But we can't rush into this blind. That's exactly what they're counting on."

The backyard was alive with tension as the pack gathered under the dim glow of the moonlight. Fey paced near the edge of the lawn, her muttering growing louder with each pass. Tobias stood beside Caius and Kieran, their hushed conversation breaking off as Regina approached. Archer leaned against a tree, his sharp eyes scanning the group, while Vera sat on the grass, wringing her hands nervously.

"They took Mason to bait us," Regina began, her voice steady despite the storm brewing within her. "They want us to act recklessly, to come charging in without a plan. But we won't give them the satisfaction."

Fey stopped pacing, her gaze snapping to Regina. "So what do we do? Just sit here while they—"

"We prepare," Regina interrupted, her tone firm. "We gather information. We find their weakness. Mason is one of us, and we don't leave our own behind. But we do this smart."

Ruby stepped forward, her voice carrying over the murmurs. "She's right. We can't afford any more mistakes. We find him, and we make them regret ever touching one of ours."

The pack exchanged glances, their fear slowly giving way to determination. "For Mason," Tobias said quietly, his words echoed by the others in unison.

Regina's gaze swept over the group, her heart swelling with pride. Whatever the Keepers had planned, they had underestimated the strength of her pack—and the lengths she was willing to go to protect them.