DEREK
The amphitheater was already beginning to take shape for the Alpha Ball. The grand arches, adorned with the first strands of elegant floral arrangements, framed the vast open space, where pack leaders and their honored guests would soon gather. The event planning team bustled about, making adjustments here and there, while workers carefully installed lighting fixtures designed to cast an ethereal glow over the venue at night.
I took it all in, my gaze sweeping over the meticulous details that had already been handled. It was beyond impressive. I had expected to find loose ends and half–finished plans, but everything was on track–no, better than on track. Elena’s touch unmistakable in every carefully thought–out detail.
I ran a hand over the stack of documents in front of me, flipping through Elena’s proposed designs and event plans. The efficiency of it all left no doubt–she had poured time and effort into this. Despite the chaos surrounding her, she had done an impeccable job.
Joe entered just then, his expression carrying the weight of fresh gossip. “You won’t believe what I just heard,” he said, lowering his voice. “The Moonstone Pack is expected to
announce the return of their long–lost daughter at the Alpha Ball.”
I frowned. “What daughter?”
Joe leaned in. “Years ago, during a rogue attack, their youngest child went missing. She was presumed dead. But they’ve apparently found her, and they’ve kept it all tightly under
wraps. No one outside the pack has seen her. No leaks, no hints—nothing.”
A prickle of unease crept up the base of my spine.
“How many years ago?
“Six or seven?” he said. “It was all over the news here, but we were in Europe at the time.
You’d just cut the trade deal with the Mid–Nordic Alliance.”
I remembered the time. My father had only recently died and I’d been working my tail off trying to keep the pack together and our business dealings strong That trade deal had cemented my place as Alpha.
Not long before I’d found Mia. Elena. Without really doing it consciously, I looked to the woods off past the amphitheater where I’d discovered her with her small pack of rogues.
The timing Joe had described struck an odd chord. How long ago had this daughter gone missing? I did a quick calculation in my head.
Wait. Was it-
No. I shut down the thought before it could fully form. I was reading too much into things.
Shoving the thought aside, I turned my attention to another pressing matter. I found Cassandra waiting near the venue’s entrance, standing with calculated poise, her long, flowing dress carefully chosen to highlight her beauty.
“Cassandra,” he said evenly. “I had a talk today with the pack doctor.”
Her smile faltered. “And?”
“I know you’ve been seeing the doctor from your family’s pack, but I want you to have a checkup with Silverclaw’s newest physician. She’s the best on this continent. She specializes in handling lingering injuries.”
Cassandra stiffened. “That’s unnecessary,” she said quickly.
I tilted my head at her. “Are you still being treated for your old arm injury?”
She hesitated for half a second too long. “It’s fine.”
“Nevertheless,” I sighed. “I already scheduled your appointment. Today.”
Joe shifted beside me, clearly uncomfortable. “Derek, please don’t tell me you’re doing this because of what Elena said. You’re really going to push Cassandra into seeing a new doctor based on the insinuation of some conniving rogue?”
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I barely spared him a glance. “It’s not a request.”
Cassandra’s lips pressed together, but she nodded.
We were just turning to leave when a small voice interrupted.
“Hello!”
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I turned, but had to drop my gaze, which landed on the gap–toothed moppet who I’d met
several weeks earlier at the Moonstone Estate.
“Well if it isn’t my old friend Chefsbane,” I said, reaching down to shake the boy’s hand politely.
He giggled at my nickname for him and turned to Cassandra, reaching his hand out to shake hers as well. He’d obviously been raised well.
She looked down at him with distaste, raising her hands up and away from him. “No thank you,” she said, her words polite, but her tone one of disdain.
The boy’s face fell.
I shot her a brief look of condemnation and kneeled down next to him.
“It’s good to see you, kiddo,” I said. “Not pulling any pranks, I hope?”
That earned me a smile. “Not today. Are you?”
I felt my eyebrows go up. “Pulling pranks?” I asked.
ou look like the type.”
I tossed my head back and laughed.
Cassandra, an odd expression on her face, lowered herself awkwardly to the ground next to
- me.
“What’s your name?” she asked him.
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The boy looked at her suspiciously and didn’t answer. She leaned toward him, reaching out
to put a hand on his shoulder, but he recoiled, reaching up to pinch his nose closed.
“Your perfume is too strong,” he said.
I tried not to laugh. She had gone a little heavy with the atomizer this morning. I shot my wrist out of my cuff and looked at my watch.
“You should get going if you want to make it to your appointment on time,” I said to her.
She rose to her feet, giving the kid one more look.
“If you like children this much,” she said, fluffing out her dark hair behind her. “You know I could give you some.”
I frowned, and she stalked off, her expression dark.
“She’s not very nice,” the boy said, watching her go.
I shrugged. “She has her moments.”
He didn’t look convinced. “What are you doing here?” he asked me after he was certain she’d gone.
“I was about to ask you the same thing,” I said. “You’re not from Silverclaw.”
“I’m here with my mom,” he said.
“Is she working the event?” I asked.
He nodded, proud to bursting. “Yep! She’s been really busy. Everyone says she’s doing an amazing job.”
“I’m sure she is,” I said to him.
The more I looked at him, the more familiar he seemed. And his aura…I hadn’t seen one this strong in a child this young…ever.
“You’re not Alpha Madden’s son, are you?” I asked him, more curious than ever about his
Chapter 23
parentage.
The boy shook his head, frowning a little. “I don’t know my dad,” he said sadly.
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I felt badly for bringing it up and reached out, putting an apologetic hand on his shoulder. His grin came back. “But my mom is the greatest, and my uncle is really nice to me.”
I nodded at him in an encouraging way. “I’m sorry I brought it up,” I apologized to him.
“That’s okay,” he lisped through his missing front teeth. “I’m going to find my dad someday.”
With an aura like that, I had no doubt the boy could do anything he set his mind to. “I have no doubt you will,” I said.
At that moment, the boy’s eyes brightened, and he began waving frantically at someone over my shoulder.
“Mommy!” he called out.
I rose back up, my knees popping as I stood. When I turned to see who he was calling to, there was only person there, striding toward us with determined steps.
Elena.
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