in her. Today was the first official day as a member of the Golden Crest Pack, and she felt the weight of it pressing down on her.After getting ready, she made

c said, settin

elf a cup of coffee and sat across from him. The silence stretched, filled only

t it would be a good idea to show you around the

offee, considering his offe

of amusement in his gaze. "You

her mug down. "I'm just still adjusting

getting to know the territory is

, both comforting and unsettling. She nod

t. Let's

est territory. The forest stretched endlessly, the trees whispering secrets only they cou

rious landmarks-the training grounds, the river that served as the pack's water source, the open fields where pack gat

ded tours?" Arielle asked, half-joki

the circumstances, I th

f with the sincerity of her words.As they continue

land stretching out before them

breathed, tak

beau

uch of pride in h

, curiosity piqued. "Do you ever feel overwhelmed by th

ation. "But it's worth it.

nt. It was a side of him she hadn't expected to see, a

lle said, "you're not e

brow. "Oh? And wha

laying on her lips. "I don't kn

hat echoed through the trees. "I save

ts were interrupted by the sound of shouting. They exchanged a glance and quickened their pace, emerging into a clearing where a group of pack memb

ne.Eric's expression darkened as he assessed the situ

them through. The young wolf's eyes widened slight

r wolf said, nodd

He turned to the younger wol

his eyes. "I want to prove myself, Alpha. Show

g. "You've got spirit, Caleb. But there's a tim

ckered with frus

rmly. "This isn't a fi

with a grudging respect. The tension in th

noting Eric's authoritative yet fair approach.

d, impressed.Eric shrugged, thou

Caleb's got potential, but

llenges is a common occurre

," Eric admitted. "But it

She was beginning to see the complexities of Eric's role and the pack dynamics. It was a wor

*

uldn't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. The day had been full of unexpected discoveries, both about t

m. "I just wanted to check in

lt around herself beginning to crack. "I'm

dy. "If there's anything you nee

"I will."As he turned to leave, she spoke again, he

his isn't how either of us planned things, bu

ere. "I feel the same way. We'

ignite within her. It was the beginning of something new, so