Alec’s

Alec gives a thoughtful hum. "That's why you kept your distance from the other packs."

"Yep," I say. "It was safer that way. For me, for my people, for our goals."

"But what about now?" he asks. "You're not the same woman you were when you started all this. You've got power now. Enough to deal with the council if they tried anything."

I look at him sideways, smirking. "Are you trying to incite me against the council?"

He puts a hand to his chest in mock offense. "Me? I would never do such a thing."

I laugh, the sound surprising even me. It feels good to laugh. Especially when I thought back to how just a few hours ago, I was ready to punch him in the throat over Lola.

"Hold that thought," I say, brushing his arm as we continued walking. "First, I need to help your pack. Then maybe I'll take on the council."

I couldn't stop the thought, though. Maybe with my powers I could change up some things. Maybe it was time for women to have positions in power.

Do you know there has never been a woman in the alpha position? Even if she was born to alpha parents and was the only child. The title of Alpha wouldn't be given to her. It's tradition in all packs that in such a situation, they'll wait for the woman to find her mate, and when they mated and marked each other, the title of Alpha would be given to her mate instead of her.

I find it ironic that wolves don't give women positions of power and yet they worship Selene, who is infact a WOMAN. It's completely insane. You'd think that women would be the ones leading.

We walk side by side, the trees thinning as the path gives way to familiar trails. Before I realize it, we are stepping onto Pack territory.

We were just passing the training fields when a shriek pierced the air.

"Mommy!" she screams. "You are back. I missed you."

I barely have time to react before Aspen launches herself at me, arms wide and eyes shining with joy.

I catch her with a grunt and hug her tight, while Alec supports my back so that I don't fall. I was still a bit weak after all. "I missed you too, baby."

She kisses my cheek before leaning over and planting one right on Alec's.

"I missed you too, Alpha Alec!"

Alec laughs, warm and rich, as he ruffles her curls. "I missed you, little Pixie."

I stare at her, brushing a leaf out of her hair. "Have you been good?"

She nods enthusiastically. "I've been playing with Martha and Uncle Micah and Jason. And I played with the kids and I ate all my vegetables, even the green beans I don't like."

"Wow," I say. "Sounds like you've had a full schedule."

Aspen's eyes twinkle. "Did you go on an Alpha mission?"noveldrama

"Yes," I say without hesitation.

Her gaze bounces between Alec and me, suddenly curious. "Were you with Alpha Alec?"

There is a pause. Alec and I look at each other. I didn't see a point in lying to her. I don't know why, but I swear I could see something in her eyes. Something like hope.

"Yes," I reply honestly. "I was with Alec."

Aspen studies us for a second, then grins and nods like it makes perfect sense. "Okay!"

There it was again. That emotion in her eyes. Maybe it was time to tell her the truth, because something tells me that if I don't, she'll adopt Alec as her father and start trying to play matchmaker.

She leaps from my arms into Alec's, making him laugh again as he catches her. He twirls her around.

Their taughter rings through the air, light and contagious. But something tugs at my thoughts.

"Hey," I call gently, once Alec stops, "you didn't mention Raven. Have you seen her?"

Aspen's smile fades a little. "No. I asked Martha. I wanted to play tea with Aunt Raven, but she said she's not here."

My heart skips.

This wasn't like Raven. At all.

I stiffen, trying to keep my face neutral for Aspen's sake. But my mind is already racing. It's been three days. She doesn't usually stay gone for that long. Especially without communication. She understands the full moon, so she would have left a message for me. The fact that she didn't is worrying.

I close my eyes and take a breath, centering myself. Blocking out everything

around me, I reach through the bond that tethered me to my magic.

"Raven?" I call through the link.

Silence.

Then-

"Sadie?"

Relief hits me so hard I almost stagger.

"Where have you been? Where are you? Are you okay?" The questions pour out

before I can stop them. Her voice sounds... drained. Faint.

"I'm okay,” she replies, but her voice sounds so tired it made my chest squeeze.

"I've been away... following a lead."

"What kind of lead?" I ask, really curious.

There is a pause and then her next words freeze me in the spot.

"I think I found a way around the spell."