As she lingered, attending to final preparations for the feast that would follow, Mira couldn’t shake a sense of unease. It clung to her like a shadow, persistent and unsettling.
*
The walk through the forest was serene, with the rustling leaves and distant calls of wildlife providing a tranquil backdrop. Aiden held Lyra’s hand firmly as they walked, his thoughts miles away. Despite the peaceful surroundings, his mind was a tempest of conflicting emotions.
“Daddy, what’s it like being Alpha?”
Aiden smiled down at her, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s a great responsibility, Lyra. It means making choices for the good of the pack, even when those choices are difficult.”
“Will I be Luna like Momma?”
“One day,” Aiden replied, his voice softening. “But that’s a long time from now. For now, you should just enjoy being a pup.”
Their conversation continued, light and easy, as they neared the sacred spring. However, as they reached the clearing, Aiden’s phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the moment. He hesitated, glancing at the screen to see Maria’s name flashing insistently.