A warrior held the door of the black SUV open as Zoriana climbed into the back seat. Alpha Tristan was about to follow when a voice cut through the early morning air.
"Tristan!" Fairuza cried, rushing out of the packhouse with a sleepy Luke huddled in her arms.
"Why are you awake so early?" Tristan scolded, but Zoriana saw the corners of his lips twitching into a warm smile.
"We wanted to say goodbye," Fairuza murmured, hugging him. Luke wrapped his small arms tightly around his father’s neck.
Tristan laughed, the sound deep and genuine. "I’m only going away for two days to negotiate an alliance, Luke. Not to war."
"Still, be safe," Fairuza whispered, kissing his cheek before stepping back.
"I will," Tristan replied. He climbed into the SUV and immediately placed a large pile of fold
