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I step between his knees and cup his face in my hands.

“And you will,” I whisper. “You'll find him.”

I lean down and kiss him, slowly, letting everything I can't put into words move through our bond instead. When I pull back, I brush my thumb along his cheek.

“And no matter what happens with your parents, Ronan, the council, or anyone else, you will never have to face them alone again. I'm here, Rylan. I will always be here.”

His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me against him. He rest his head in the crook of my neck inhaling my scent to calm himself.

Always, my Lycan echoes.

I kiss him again.

ARLENE’S POV

The Sunday after the pack run, I sit in the examination room, Darian’s hand a steady weight on my shoulder. Luna Selena leans against the wall, arms crossed, leans, a quiet sentinel. The healer’s cool hands press gently against my abdomen, the ultrasound wand gliding over my skin. A rapid, steady thumping filled the small room, the pup’s heartbeat, strong and clear.

“Everything looks perfect,” the healer said softly. “Werewolf pregnancies move quickly. Six months, sometimes less. You’re already two months along. You won’t be able to shift, but your pup looks very healthy. Your body knows what to do.”

My breath caught. Darian’s fingers tighten on my shoulder in a massaging manner. They didn’t speak, but his stillness said everything, memory of another heartbeat, one that never got this far in our previous life is now strong and healthy. I place my hand over his to comfort him.

After the doctor leaves giving us some final instructions. I get myself together with the help of Darian and Luna Selena.

Outside the healer’s office, a low whisper cut through the waiting room hush: “…rogues living in Silver Moon now.” I stiffen. Word about our past is already spreading..

Luna Selena didn’t turn. Didn’t speak. But the air grew heavy, charged. Every wolf in the room drops their gaze to the floor, shoulders bowing slightly under the unseen weight of Lycan presence. Luna Selena guides me forward, her silence more powerful than any threat.

On the path home, Damian chats about school supplies they while Darlene practices writing her name in the dirt with a stick. I watch them, Darian’s hand now laced with mine. For the first time since we arrive, something like hope felt possible. A normal pack life for my pups.

*****

That evening, as fireflies blink outside their house window, Damian looked up from his drawing. “Do you think anyone will still want to be our friends at school tomorrow? I heard what the adults were saying.”

I brush his hair from his forehead. “I think tomorrow is going to be a wonderful day for you to make many friends.” But unease still lingers. I made a mistake while worrying about my pup during the pack run and now, Paige may be a problem in the future. I take a deep breath. Hopefully she won’t do anything else.

16

Rylan's POV

Darian steps through the wide wooden gate of Silver Moon’s training grounds just as dawn’s pale light brushes the horizon. His boots crunch over frost lined gravel, and almost before he draws in a full breath, I hear the ripple of whispers. A cluster of warriors pause mid stretch, heads tilting toward him. Two more slow their footwork on the practice hill. The low hum of speculation weaves around me like smoke, and with my Alpha hearing, every quiet word pierces straight into my mind, even though no one dares look me in the eye.

A vigorous veteran by the punching bags lets out a soft whistle. “Did you see him on the pack run? He stays right behind the ranked wolves, and didn’t drop pace once.” His companion nods, wide eyed. But across the yard, a slender warrior with a crooked scar running from temple to jaw mutters, “My neighbor’s wife swears the Carters were rogues, should we be on guard?”

Before the scarred wolf could finish, a young Pack Warrior snaps her head up. “Rogues? After what rogues did to Elise, Alpha’s first mate? After Luna Selena’s parents, the former Gamma and Gamma Female Ashford? Do you really believe Alpha will allow dangerous rogues into Silver Moon?” Her voice, tight with anger, carries over the gravel and makes several warriors wince.

“Wait,” a third warrior pipes in, arms folding across his chest. He is older, someone must’ve recognize him from eight years back, when we hosts that werewolf–human high school exchange. “I remember Darian clearing the cafeteria lines, keeping hotheads in line. He wasn’t a rogue then.” His tone hold quiet admiration, the kind that warms in the chest.

The conversation pivots on that memory. Maybe someone jealous. The ranked positions beyond Gamma are scarce, and Darian’s performance on the run rattles the competition. A wiry young male suggests with a snort, “Probably a wolf angling for Alpha’s favor, spreading dirt so they can steal his spot.” A ripple of agreement follows, heads nodding as if that makes more sense than rogue bloodlines.

I let them chatter, savoring their candid judgments, until a low growl rumbles in my chest, deep and warning. Instantly, the grounds fall silent. Warriors straighten, eyes snapping toward me.

I stride to the center of the yard and flex my shoulders. Derek is suppose to lead the warm up, but I wave him aside. “Run,” I command, voice crisp. “Ten laps.” The pack surges forward, breaths steaming in the cold air. After the run, I gather everyone into pairs for partner drills, grapples, blocks, counterattacks, keeping muscles warm and minds sharp. But once I judge them ready, I halt the rhythm.

I survey the circle, lips curling into a challenge. “Who wants to spar with your Alpha?”

A heavy pause. Then, one by one, every warrior edges back, boots scuffing dust. Their gazes dart away.

Really? Don’t they know I’d smack them to dust if they cower like rabbits?