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Darian runs a hand through his sweat damp hair and sighs, “I can’t get the damn braids right for Darlene. She says they’re either too loose or too tight.” My laughter echoes across the field, real and unguard. This isn’t the dangerous outsider I initiated into Silver Moon. This is a man trying to be a father.

“Maybe you should take lessons.” I start laughing as I pat Darian on the back.

“I’d rather take down ten rogue wolves.” Then Darian sighs.

“Arlene says I have to know everything she does, hair, cooking, laundry, bathtime with the kids, tuck in to bed. Which means doing what my pregnant mate says, Alpha. No excuses… The only part I like is when she sits down with her notebook, fingers brushing her belly, writing. I get to take over the chores and watch her, she looks… peaceful.” Darian's shoulders loosen, his smile changes, his eyes soften when he talks about Arlene and the pups. “To me… it’s worth it to have my family safe and happy.” He turns to me. “Thank you, Alpha, for accepting my family and me into your pack. You have a loyal wolf for life.” There’s no lie in his eyes.

I like him. Let’s keep him.

“He’s not a dog.”

Then a sharp ping cuts through my mind. “Alpha…” Mike’s voice crackles urgently. Darian’s eyes are glowing too.

“There’s a situation at the school.” I straighten, the peace snapping away.

17

Selena's POV

Isprint down the dew damp path away from the pack house, heart pounding from my Luna drills, and round the bend toward Arlene’s cottage. The morning light slants through birch trunks, dappled on my boots.

Run faster, my Lycan urges. I reach the little blue door, lift my hand, then knock. A warm thump echoes inside.

Arlene swings the door open, her black hair pinned up, eyes bright behind wire rimmed glasses. I tug at the collar of my training tunic and say, “Decided to drop by this morning.”

A booming voice bounces off the woods behind me. “Luna Selena! Where are you? It’s time for your Luna lessons!”

I flash Arlene a conspiratorial grin. “Coffee instead?”

Coffee, my Lycan agrees. And food.

She bursts into giggles, stepping aside to let me in. “You’re hiding from him, aren’t you?”

I shrug off my pack. “Not hiding. Just taking a crucial, high priority, break. He’s insufferable today.”

In her cozy kitchen, the air smells of fresh grounds and cinnamon. Arlene scoops coffee into two steaming mugs and sets a platter of quiche, berries, and buttered toast between us. She teases me about shirking duties, leaning back to sip her coffee. “So how did you end up with that elder, anyway?”

I swirl cream in my cup. “Gamma Vale arranged it. After my father died, he became Gamma, and then adopted me. At the time I thought it was a good idea because he was my ex best friend’s father. I was happy because Candy and I would become sisters.” I see Arlene stiffen and then shake her head. Hmmm. If it’s important, she’ll tell me.

“So even now, sometimes I have a hard time turning his suggestions down. He thought the elder was perfect for my Luna training.”

Arlene’s brow lifts. “And Candy? You two were… inseparable, right? Can you tell me more about her?”

I force a smile. “Candy made me smoothies every morning from age fifteen. Strawberry banana, thick and sweet.” My fingers tighten around the mug. “I thought it was care. Turns out there was a…metallic aftertaste. She was poisoning me.”

Arlene’s eyes go wide, but she only reaches for my hand. “Good thing you found out.”

“Yeah, she betrayed me by sleeping with my ex mate, fed pack information to rogues, was exposed, and exiled. Good riddance.”

We should’ve killed her, my Lycan growls.

“No, we agreed to the exile. Gamma Vale would be heartbroken”

Where was he when you were being bullied as human?

“… I honestly don’t know.” I take a moment and start wondering if maybe… my thoughts are interrupted. I see Arlene eyes snap up to mine. She drops her cup on the table. I tilt my head, “Are you alright?”

Arlene moves her head up and down slowly. Maybe she’s just shocked.