Page 259

Paige looks at the children gathering around her. “Looks like I'm in charge of everybody tonight.”

Piper laughs while Jace and Jocelyn settle beside her. Milo stays close as Paige gets comfortable with the three babies.

Justin looks toward his siblings before heading in the opposite direction. He joins the enforcers gathering at the rear of the pack, taking the position Michael once held.

Darlene follows the movement around us, then looks up at me. “I'm running.”

Darian looks down at her. “No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

I look at him. “She can run.”

His head turns toward me. “Arlene.”

“She shifted early. She's been training, and she'll be with the other pups and teenagers.”

“She's five.”

“I know how old our daughter is.”

Darlene grabs my hand. “Mom said yes.”

“That doesn't help,” Darian mutters.

Damian steps forward. “I'll watch her.”

Darian looks at him.

“I won't let her leave my side.”

Darlene frowns. “You have to catch me first.”

“Darlene,” Darian and I say together.

She smiles.

Worry moves through the mate bond, but underneath it is pride. I squeeze Darian's hand. “She'll be okay.”

His eyes move to Damian. “You stay together.”

“We will.”

Then he points at Darlene. “And you listen to your brother.”

“I will.”

“Immediately.”

She sighs. “Fine.”

Damian and Darlene head toward the teenagers and older pups. Jace, Jocelyn, Milo, and Piper remain with Paige while she watches Jude, Selena's daughter, and Arian.

Rylan's voice carries across the clearing. “Shift!”

Power explodes around us. Wolves and Lycans replace people across the clearing as the pack prepares for the run. Damian shifts with the teenagers and older pups. Darlene's smaller wolf appears beside him, already bouncing on her paws.