LOGINHis voice was soft when he asked, “Are you mad at Daddy?”My breath caught.I didn’t answer right away. I just held him tighter, brushing my lips against the top of his head, breathing in the familiar scent of shampoo and dreams.“No, baby,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “Just sad
ELENAHe said it. Just like that."Because I was a coward."And for a moment, I didn’t breathe. Didn’t blink. I just stared at him, this towering Alpha, folded in on himself like the weight of everything he’d done was finally more than he could bear.It wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t defensive. I
DEREKI was more nervous than I had ever been in my entire life.And that included some truly horrible moments. Moments when life and death had been in the balance.Worse than when Aiden had been in the hospital, his little body limp and pale against white sheets, machines screaming at me that I mig
ELENA"I’m strong enough to travel," I said.The words came out firmer than I expected. My voice still felt like it didn’t quite belong to me—too quiet, too dry—but I forced strength into it anyway.My mother narrowed her eyes at me across the hospital room, arms folded, posture stiff with tension.
ELENAThe first thing I felt was cold.Not the kind of cold that settled into your bones. Not the chill of snow or wind. It was sterile, dry, antiseptic. The kind of cold that came from machines humming, filtered air, fluorescent lights. A hospital.I blinked slowly, and the world came into focus in
DEREKToday was going well.Which, lately, felt like a miracle.The meeting room was warm with early sunlight, and the Stormfang delegation finally looked less like they wanted to skin me and more like they might—possibly—listen. The Icelandic pack had been guarded since our arrival, especially with
“Children!” the Luna called, sweeping her hands wide. “Those of you who placed in the scavenger hunt—please come forward!”Aiden bolted ahead so fast I didn’t even have time to call his name. His ribbon from the hunt was still in his hand, and he waved it in the air as he ran.My mother stepped forw
DEREKThe drumbeat stopped.There was a moment of eerie silence, broken only by the creak of a torch swaying in the breeze.Elena and I stood shoulder to shoulder at the edge of the staging area, staring at the enormous painted sign: WELCOME, LAST PLACE TEAM.I could hear snickering from behind us.
I gave her a look. “Please never say that again.”“I’m just saying, interpretive storytelling? It’s a niche.”“You’re a menace.”She shrugged, eyes glowing. “And you’re finally fun.”***The celebration picked up again as we rejoined the main crowd, lanterns flickering high above and the scent of wo
ELENAFor a second, the courtyard was absolutely silent.The fire crackled softly, and the soft notes of the drums had stilled to a heartbeat rhythm as everyone turned toward Logan. The moment he raised his hand and pointed across the ring—past the shifting torchlight and the stunned expressions—it







