As Ben opens the TV room door, the space floods with Baylee’s wolves. They barrel in with wild energy, mud dripping from their paws. Evelyn rushes in behind them, flushed and exasperated.
“Alpha, Luna, I’m so sorry! They snuck past me, and now I can’t get the little turds out. And they’re covered in mud!”
She looks like she’s already halfway to quitting.
But before Drake or I can respond, one of the wolves pads over to Baylee’s side, where Aspen stands protectively near her head. As the wolf nudges Aspen aside and licks a slow, tender line from Baylee’s jaw to her temple, her eyes flutter open. A small, tired smile tugs at her lips.
She lifts her arm, drapes it around the wolf’s broad shoulders, and snuggles into him.
“I love you too, Rupa,” she whispers.
Caden’s face lights up with
