By late afternoon, we'd met what felt like half the pack.
Warriors who wanted to assess Fao with sharp eyes. Elders who looked at him like they were seeing a ghost. Pups who stared at both of us with unabashed curiosity. And everywhere, the same greeting — one knee, bared throat, "Alpha."
"Does it get less weird?" I asked Nina as we finally headed back toward the lodge, Fao pushing my wheelchair while Corvin walked alongside.
"The bowing? Yeah, eventually. The first time someone bared their throat to me, I had no idea what to do." She grinned. "I just said 'uh, thanks?' Declan was mortified."
"I just... I don't know what I'm supposed to do." I glanced back at Fao. "He's learning to lead, but what's my role? I can't shift. I can't fight — not like them. I'm just... human."
Fao's hands
