"Mom?" he asked, blinking up at her. "When's Dad coming home?"
She smiled, brushing a lock of hair from his face. "He's with his pack. He'll be home any minute now."
"But, Mom-"
"No buts, Fabian," she said gently. "You know your father is the Alpha of our Moon Pack. He has council duties... And besides, it's a full moon tonight."
She stood, lifting him with practiced ease, kissed his cheek, and laid him on the bed.
"Fabian?" she called softly, sitting beside him once more.
"Yes, Mommy?"
She smiled at her boy, her silver eyes warm and sad. "Promise me... you'll be a good leader to our people. Even if I'm not there with you?"
His brow furrowed. "Why wouldn't you be with me? Are you leaving?"
"No, my love. I'll always be with you." She kissed his forehead and pulled the blanket up to his chin. "Sleep now."
She turned off the night lamp and slipped quietly out of the room, closing the door behind her.
But Fabian couldn't sleep.
The storm was louder now, the sounds outside sending chills down his spine. Restless, he climbed out of bed and tiptoed into the hallway. In his little pajamas and floppy sleeping hat, he followed the noise downstairs to the living room.
What he saw froze him in place.
His mother was screaming-then she shifted. Silver and ash fur erupted from her skin, and her body grew into a majestic, powerful wolf.
Luna.
She was fighting-five intruders surrounded her, already in their wolf forms. Snarls and growls filled the air as fur and claws collided. Fabian's eyes welled with tears. He watched his mother, his protector, thrown to the ground.
Driven by fear and desperation, he ran into the kitchen, grabbed a knife with his tiny hands, and plunged it into one of the attackers. Blood sprayed. The wolf yelped and shifted back into human form before collapsing.
The Luna's eyes widened in horror as she spotted her child amidst the chaos.
"No!" she growled-but before she could reach him, a dart embedded in her side.
Wolfsbane.
She gasped and crumpled to the ground, shifting back to her human form.
"Mom!" Fabian screamed, running to her side.
"Sweetheart... run," she whispered. "Run as fast as your legs can carry you..."
But before he could move, one of the attackers seized him.
"Let him go! Please... take me instead," his mother pleaded, voice breaking.
"This is what you get for killing one of the Star Pack," the she-wolf sneered. "A tooth for a tooth."
Her laughter was cut short by the sharp thrust of a blade through her back.
Fabian gasped. "Dad!!"
A tall man stood at the doorway, sword in hand-his father, Trevor. His eyes burned with fury. In an instant, he shifted into a massive wolf-larger than any in the room-and tore through the invaders without mercy. Blood painted the walls.
Fabian rushed to him. "Dad! Mom's hurt!"
Trevor shifted back and ran to where Victoria lay, pale and bleeding.
"Trevor..." she gasped.
"I'm here. I've got you," he whispered, holding her close.
"Take care... of Fabian. When I'm gone..."
"No. No, don't say that. You're not leaving me. We'll go to the pack's healer-"
But her body was already limp. Her fingers, once warm, now cold.
Victoria turned her gaze to her son one last time. "Be a good Alpha for Mommy... I'll always love you."
She looked at her mate. "I'll always love you too."
And then... she was gone.
Trevor let out a roar that shook the mansion to its bones.
"I swear... the Star Pack will pay for this."