AMBER POV
The conversation buzzed around me like the hum of the morning sun, everyone eager to talk about the shift. Mom’s excitement was so palpable that it almost felt like she was glowing as she flipped pancakes on the stove, and Rett and Robert were practically bouncing in their seats, waiting for me to say something more about Autumn.
Dad, though, sat at the table with his usual calm composure, a steaming mug of coffee in hand, the morning paper in the other. He took a slow sip and folded the paper, his dark eyes meeting mine. “I’ve already informed Alpha,” he said, his voice deep but gentle. “He knows today’s your birthday and your first shift. The area by the lake will be off-limits for everyone else, just as it should be. You can go there, Amber, whenever you’re ready. Just a fe
