Even with everything that had happened, with James, with my past... I felt lighter here. With these people, these men.
“What were you doing?” Ryker asked, glancing between us with his usual calm curiosity.
“We were talking,” Rafael answered before I could, his eyes flicking to mine with a kind of silent encouragement.
“About?” Ryker pressed, eyes narrowing slightly—protective, not suspicious. Ryker had always been in my corner since our parents died. Quiet but steady, the kind of person who didn’t demand trust but earned it.
“Something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” I said, turning to face him fully. “It’s only a plan right now, nothing official. But... I want to start a school.”
Ryker blinked, surprised. “A school?”
I nodded. “For underprivileged kids. Wolves and humans.
