Ava's POV
I stared at the ungrateful little brat standing in front of me, my wolf bristling beneath my skin.
Jasper… The Alpha’s precious son. The pampered cub who had never known hunger, fear, or what it meant to fight just to survive another night.
The same pup I had dragged out of danger with my own hands several times.
My mind flickered uninvited to my own daughter, June. For a split second, my wolf whimpered low in my chest. Then the feeling twisted sharply into bitterness.
"I'm busy too. Go find your mom."
My voice came out cold, clipped, carrying just enough authority to remind him I wasn't someone he could treat as he pleased. I started closing the door, already done with this conversation.
But Jasper moved fast.
He shoved his stuffed animal into the gap, his small body tre
