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I breath deep. “You know how a wolf’s first shift is anytime from birth until eighteen. Well, my Lycan should’ve shown at the latest eighteen, but nothing happened. Anyway, I eventually received my Lycan and later my Lycan told me about a seal, something suppressing her. We never figured out what it was, just that it was there. I assume it’s because of the poisoning for so many years. When she finally broke free everything changed.”

Arlene shifts forward. “Was her first name...” She stops, her eyes flicker, silver glinting. I feel it too: a pulse at my temples, a whisper against my mind. We exchange a look of recognition.

“There’s a situation at the school,” we say in unison. Damian and Darlene.

I drop my cup. Arlene darts for the door. We race out, back through the trees, adrenaline lighting our steps.

At Silver Moon Elementary, bright lockers line the hall. Voices hush as we enter the classroom where Damian and Darlene sit at the back. Damian twists at his sleeve; Darlene’s gaze is fixed on a scuff in the tile floor. Paige hovers nearby, teachers behind her. Arlene takes a breath of relief beside me.

I mindlink her, “This stress isn’t good for your pup. Do you mind if I handle it?”

“After you, Luna.”

My Lycan growls, I’ll kill the adults. Why are the pups not smiling?

“Calm down. Let’s find out.”

I clear my throat. “What happened here?”

The adults open their mouths, but I hold up a hand. “Pups first.”

Milo shifts. “I…called them rogues. I heard my mom say it, so I did.” The other pups fidget, eyes darting between Damian and Darlene.

A flicker of anger coalesces behind my ribs... one heartbeat of memory, how I felt labeled “human” once, cut off from everyone. I swallow it down.

I step past the teachers, kneel before Damian and Darlene. The floor’s cool porcelain presses at my knees. “You two aren’t in trouble,” I say softly. “Rylan and I personally welcomed your family into Silver Moon. We gave you the induction tour... right, Arlene?”

“Right,” she says, nodding from the doorway.

I glance at the others. “How many other families do you think, receive a personal tour from their Alpha and Luna?” I let the question hang. Silence fills the room.

“Ummm… Five.” Damian says. I chuckle.

“Close. You are the first and only ones.”

“Ever?” Darlene ask.

“Ever.” The bright smiles that light up on Darlene faces and Damian puffs out his little chest. I hug them both.

Better, my Lycan purrs.

As I let go. I stand and face the group of pups. It’s not their fault, they are just pups.

“I know. They only repeat what they hear adults say.”

She should know better. My Lycan growls.

I look at Paige my eyes glow, and I shake my head. Paige stiffens. My eyes return to their normal color

“It’s our responsibility to guide them down the right path.”

I turn to the pups. “What is our pack’s credo?”

A chorus of small voices: “We stand as one.”

“What does ‘one’ mean?”

The little voices continue, “Pack.” “Family.” “One.”