Luna turned three years old on a sunny spring morning. She woke up bouncing with excitement, already chattering about her party before her feet hit the floor.
"I'm three! I'm so big now, Mama!"
Aria smiled, helping her daughter dress. Luna looked like a five-year-old, her accelerated growth showing no signs of slowing. But emotionally, she was still very much a child.
"Very big. What do you want to do for your birthday?"
"See Uncle Kade! And have cake! And play with Marcus and the other pups!" Luna ticked off items on her fingers. "And Aunt Lyra promised to teach me a new fighting move!"
"Uncle Kade is still sick, remember?" Aria said gently. The lie hurt, but it was easier than explaining Void corruption to a three-year-old.
"Still sick?" Luna's face fell. "But it's been so long."
