a's

back inside the mom

Alpha Jack had taken me in after the fall of my pack, and over the years I had learned to read the small things

ght away and focu

se. Laughter spilled out into the night, too loud and too effortless. It mixed with music that thumped lo

cond longer than I should

away. I just stood there and let it soak in while everything rushed over me at once-the smells, the sounds,

e before I coul

g the ceiling beams, red ribbon threaded through them, and a huge Christmas tree stood tal

to each other as if it cost them nothing. Like they had neve

nearest wall an

easier

me and went quickly, like I was something peopl

didn't want their

ainst the thick knits and bright colors everyone else wore. I tugg

names with the effortless authority of someone who had never doubted that the room was his. People stepped forward laughing before they even

from whe

racted. No one had ever given

yl

ong in a room so l

st. Then I realized

move on," he said sharply.

lready reaching for the gift

ady picking up. Ryker pushed a small bo

ctually thought

paper. No ribbon. Just a plain brown box with bent corners an

ong the bent edge. Someone had held onto the

ened

, nothing remarkable. But thick-the

tras," a voice said fr

hter was not loud enough to create a

noticed I didn't have any. That was more

to the wall. Nobody stopped me. They had already moved on to the next n

tight not long after that, a

found th

yl

ocking or unkind. But something abo

ned s

same smile as everyone else in the room. Hers was quieter-like she understood

aid, extending her hand.

a moment before I c

looked at me the way he sometimes did-directly, without looking past me or through me. Like he actually saw me. His blue eyes were

d something sm

f pine trees in deep winter-with a silver ribb

r a moment, brows

na Ria said gently

d back the paper

th left

klace. Small

ve known i

he silent question lingering betw

old pack," he said quietly. "We thou

ce. They sank in slowly, one at

nd my shoulders, but i

they always came-fast

i

oo

ey

ce: 'Don't let

cut through, pulling me

d me, but it didn't feel steady. My hands were sh

tears until they w

ther and tried to stop

arby chair. Luna Ria sat close, her

urting. We know that. But we're

I wasn't sure what exa

my collarbone. It warmed quickly-faster than it should have, like

ame quietly through

your eightee

odd

before continuing. "Are you

nt, unmistakable. She was awake.

underneath it. Something sharper. Not quite

alone. Tonight wou

d nodded. It was th

ou won't be alone anymore. You'll

e meant i

, impossible to ignore. It felt as if a door inside

ng was

oing to chan

*