The celebration stretched far into the night, spilling golden light and laughter across Crescent Moon’s great hall. Torches flickered along the stone pillars, casting shifting shadows that danced with the crowd. Music pulsed through the space—drums low and steady like a heartbeat, strings bright as the stars glittering above the open skylight.
For the first part of the evening, Nathan stayed close to Darius and Elaine, moving with them through throngs of allied pack members and visiting dignitaries. Though only a child, he held himself with surprising poise, shoulders squared just like his father’s, chin lifted like a young heir to a throne. Every little bow he offered made the elders smile. Every firm handshake made Alpha’s nod in approval.
Darius kept a hand close to his son’s back, hi
