Elara's Pov
The steady rhythm of Dorian's powerful strides lulled me into a fragile peace as we approached the pack house, the boardwalks giving way to the familiar sweep of manicured lawns. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting golden flecks on his dark brown fur, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of boundaries and hidden wars lifted. This world—wild, vast, alive—whispered promises of belonging, even as my heart clung to the edges of uncertainty.
As we neared the grand entrance, Mum stood waiting, her silver-blonde hair catching the breeze like sea foam. In her hands, she dangled a pair of dark pants, casual as if handing over a forgotten towel. My cheeks warmed at the sight, a mix of bewilderment and that old flicker of embarrassment from overhearing intimacies I wasn't mea
