hina'

house. I was still reeling from the close call even though the confrontation with Lydia Crowe had been fierce. Kael's prese

na, wait

den running. Concern carved o

nd was far from quiet. "

a great risk tonight. Lydia is not

to steady my voice. "We required her

n mind Kael isn't the only one observing. Lydia's allegia

iarity of my surroundings, I looked about the room. Though tonight it felt empty, my haven was a

or. Kael came in before I could reply, his fa

ured, "Kael." "Wh

replied, "I wanted to check on you

table. "I had to. Lydia was not going to readily give up the ma

"You're correct. But you have to realize that your safety

ng. Kael, I am not a delicate f

nging. "But you should exercise caution." We

ame moment. I understand i

appreciated, Seraphina. Still, there is far more at risk than on

f leadership he carried so much on his shoulders, of duty. It caused me to co

I only want to be of assistanc

er. You do not constitute a liability. But we have to be wise about how we han

n created an odd mix of comfort and anxiety that unsettled me. I wa

a soft but stern voice. "We will

knowledge. Though the evening had worn me out, the emotional turbulence was far from done. Though v

lence broken only by the odd whisper of discussion. Everyone was carrying the weight

was in the middle of batch-making healing

, startled.

of the house; his expression was . He stared at me with an

ydia's material is helpful, it only helps to piece the jigsaw. We

ed his comments. "W

ment. To go over our plan, I am gathering the other pack leaders for a confere

ded, unable to get rid of the uneas

s transient." Her availability is not long-term re

tension in his eyes. "An

to manage. Oversaw this pack, handled risks, and worked toward our future securi

er-one who never displayed frailty. Seeing him in this state, battling the weight of

lso want to be helpful. Though I might

is harshness slipped away. "Thank you."

. Our obstacles were great, and the road forward was dangerous. Still, there w

from finished as we were ready for the battles ahead. We were in this together, confronting a future ful