a's

d purple. After settling him in for the night, the reality of our situation finally hit me. We were bac

n, his small face scrunched in concentration as he processed the day's e

ning facility is buzzing about your return. Some of the youn

tension with his irreverent humor. "Just got Lucas set

es, word is Shadow Fang's heir has tak

n Blackwood's presence at the airport wasn't

nt quickly. "Earl

in the werewolf world, six-year-olds needed peanut butter sandwiches and apple slices. The mundane ta

stinctively, years of combat training kicking in. Through the peephole, I

ment of local delicacies and children's treats. "She also included some information about the

thing was ever simple. Accepting such a gift would create an ob

ly, "but Lucas is already enrolled in the public school syst

in his shoulders. "The Luna will be... disappointed. She was qui

I said firmly, "but Lucas an

ible reminder of the forces gathering around us. Tomorrow, I would face a training facility full of young werewolves, all while hi

voice called from his

thing back his dark hair. "Just a

ht mine. "The whispers are

easily managed. But here, surrounded by active werewolves, would his powers

t how, sw

g important." His forest-green eyes, still heavy

odlines were everything. Sooner or later, someone w

king his blanket more securely around him. "T

reaming through the window. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges - the training facility, the skeptical young wolves, the poli

an'

. Though I'd never met Aria personally, her mother's sacrifice had left our

ording to the report, she had a six-year-old son. Somet

f satisfaction. The burden of an unwanted engagement lifted from my shoulders. After all

n her life for mine. But arranged marriages were a relic of the old

ways been a formidable leader, guiding Shadow Fang with wisdom and

er emerald eyes – so like my own – shimmered with emotion. "Raising a wolf cu

d, "the arrangemen

n. She threw herself between you and that wild wolf without hesitation, knowing what it would cost her. And how

s she pushed me clear of the wild wolf's attack, the horrible sound as its fan

reer as a professional fighter?" Mother's voice grew passionate. "That's exactly the kind of strength Shadow Fan

ng to reveal my investigation in

tested by fire and emerged stronger."

ne lik