Aria’s POV

Lana’s name hit me like a stone in the chest. My folding faltered. Guilt clawed at me. Since moving into Shevron Estates, chaos had consumed every hour. Lana deserved better. She deserved a stable mother, not a wolf caught between worlds.

"I’ll rely on Kara," I murmured. "She’s been staying here. She’ll take care of Lana."

But the words tasted bitter on my tongue. It was like a promise I wished I could guarantee.

I vowed I wouldn’t feel guilty about Nathan anymore. Our past was a graveyard. But Lana... she’s the living heartbeat I still owe a future.

Knock, knock...

"Aria? You in there? Lana’s asking for you," Kara’s voice came from the other side.

Instantly, my wolf softened, all instincts going maternal, protective.

I opened the door.

Kara stood there with Lana perched on her hip. I took in her beautiful soft curls, starry eyes and cheeks that were round like ripe peaches.

"Mommy!" Lana squealed, her pudgy arms lifted toward me.

My heart melted and fractured all at once. I scooped her up, burying my nose in her hair, breathing her in like oxygen.

Jonathan’s gaze landed on her, and I caught something raw in his expression. It seemed like awe and tenderness, a longing that hurt to witness.

"Aunt Amelia!" Lana chirped from where she sat perched against my shoulder. Her chubby fingers curled into the fabric of my shirt, and her bright wolf-pup eyes scanned the room like a tiny sentinel evaluating her pack.

Even though she was still small, her memory was sharp. She remembered scents, voices and familiar faces. It made me proud... and scared. She would grow up a wolf in a world I couldn’t control.

Amelia stepped closer, extending her hand. "Lana, sweetie, Aunt Amelia is right here."

Lana’s scent filled my senses, steadying my heartbeat. My wolf leaned forward, ears perked, protective instinct rising like a tide.

Nearly everyone was staring at her. Like moths to a flame... or wolves to a pup.

Kara chuckled. "She’s usually fine with crowds, but today? She’s been fussy. Maybe she knows you’re leaving."

As if she understood every word, Lana nodded, her little head bobbing like a jiggly wolf cub. My chest tightened.

"She’s a people magnet," Chloe said from the door, walking towards us.

Lana reached for Chloe’s braid, tugging at it gently.

Williams, who had also come in, leaned forward, intrigued, and immediately got shoved back by Chloe’s foot. "Back off," she snapped.

"Can I hold her?" Jonathan asked suddenly. His voice was steady, but beneath it... I heard it. Longing that rolled off him like smoke.

"Of course."

I shifted Lana into his arms, her tiny body warm against my palms until his hands took over.

He held her like she was made of moonlight, in an awkward, careful and reverent way. Lana rested her head against his shoulder and wrapped her short arms around his neck. My wolf’s hackles rose instinctively, but slowly eased as his energy remained calm.

"It seems Lana really loves everyone," I murmured. My voice shook.

Kara nodded. "She’s different. She is smart, beautiful and strong." A soft pride glimmered in her eyes. "It feels like she knows she is royalty. Like she’s born to lead."

She was of royal blood afterall, Nathan was her father. I pushed the thought aside.

"Kara," I said carefully. "Like I told you earlier, I’ll be gone for a few days. You’ll be solely responsible for her. Don’t go out too much. Keep her scent masked when stepping out."

Kara nodded. She understood the danger Kara and I have been through.

Chloe raised her hand. "Hey, I can stop by. Shevron Estates isn’t that far. I’ll help if Kara needs it."

"And I’ll check in too," Jonathan added, his eyes softening as Lana played with the button on his suit. "You won’t let me go with you to Duckspire... so let me help here."

Their willingness surprised me. A warmth bloomed beneath my ribs, pushing back the guilt and the fear.

"You can come by anytime," I said. "Just call Kara."

Lana looked at Jonathan. Then, clear as a bell, she chirped, "Alph Jonatha!"

His entire composure cracked. Joy flooded his features, near-light blinding.

"And me?" Chloe jumped in. "I’m Chloe! Ch-lo-e!"

Lana blinked, then announced proudly, "Coco!"

Chloe gasped like she’d been knighted by the Moon Goddess herself. She sent Williams a smug look. He puffed up like a wolf pup ready to compete, but before he could step up, I reached for Lana.

"Kara," I said, handing her over, "take her for a little bit. I need to finish packing before I miss the train."

Williams deflated behind me, muttering, "Seriously...?"

I shook my head wearily at him and smiled.

Half an hour later, we left Shevron Estates as a group. The cool night breeze brushed my skin as Amelia and I slid into the car. I turned back. Kara held Lana, and the others stood behind her.

They looked like a pack.

My pack.

And it hurts to leave them all behind.

"We’ll head straight to the station," I called out. "No need to see us off!" I waved them goodbye.

The car pulled away. Their silhouettes blurred, swallowed by the night. My wolf pressed against my ribs, whining softly.

The sky was ink. The moon veiled by thin clouds as though the moon goddess was watching, judging and sending her blessing.

The window was ajar, letting the wind slip in, carrying scents of dust and pine.

When we arrived at the train station, Amelia said, "This is the address I found for Tyler’s family." She showed me the location. "Authenticity pending verification."

I checked the map. The coordinates sat on an uncharted, dangerous border of two different packs.

"I trust your work," I told her. "Let’s go."

We got on a train and headed to Duckspire.