Night had fallen over Crescent Moon territory, thick and quiet, as though the entire pack were holding its breath. Moonlight spilled across the balcony of the alpha chambers, silvering the stone floor and catching on the curtains that swayed softly with the breeze.
Inside, a small thump sounded—then another.
Nathan was on the rug, surrounded by wooden wolf figurines, moving them in an oddly intense battle formation only toddlers understood. His dark hair bounced every time he bobbed his little head, making soft growling noises as he pushed two wolves closer together.
Elaine watched him from the sofa, her heart twisting so hard she had to exhale slowly to keep from breaking. Darius leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, brow furrowed as though he could will the entire world to beh
