Rex led Aurora to Moonlight Grove, a secluded corner of the city where ancient stone pillars jutted from the ground, and glowing moss clung to every surface like starlight caught in shadow. After everything they had endured, a quiet tension hung between them—an invisible barrier neither seemed willing to breach.
A small wolf pup bounded toward them, carrying a basket overflowing with silvery moss and luminescent night-light flowers.
“Powerful Alpha,” the pup chirped, “would you like to buy a bouquet for your Omega?”
Aurora’s ears twitched in surprise, and she stammered, flustered. “We’re—”
“I’ll take this one,” Rex interrupted smoothly, selecting the brightest bouquet. A few shiny wolf coins exchanged paws, and the pup scampered away, grinning. Aurora held the softly glowing flowers in
