Victor suppresses a smile. Three weeks indeed, just enough time for his son's bond with Dorothy to strengthen beyond interference.
Back in the packhouse, Ethan Sr. carefully sorts through his daughter's mail, separating the D.R. Dares correspondence from regular pack business. Pride swells in his chest as he reads the latest letter from the competition organisers. They're impressed with her preliminary sketches, eager to see her completed pieces, and confident in her chances of winning.
His phone buzzes with a message from the Alpha: "Meeting complete. Elders in disarray. Silver Crest alliance officially dead."
Relief washes through him. One obstacle down, but others remain. The Elders won't stay distracted forever, and Dorothy's supplies will continue arriving daily, drawing attention
