Chapter 1

“Did you teach her to write this?”

Ronan stood beside the fireplace with Ivy’s assignment in his hand. He had come straight from border patrol, carrying the scent of pine, leather, and cold night air into the room.

At the top of the page, Ivy had written:

[Where My Father Died

My father did not die at the border.

He died at Mara’s house. Every time she called, he went there and forgot how to come home.]

Ronan stared at the title before looking at me.

“Elena, I protect Silverpine every day, yet she writes as if I have disappeared.”

“She wrote what she sees.”

“She is seven.”

“That does not make her blind.”

His expression tightened. He placed the paper on the table without tearing it, though his fingers remained over the title.

“The whole pack knows why I look after Mara and Noah. Caleb died saving my life. Protecting his family is my responsibility.”

“I never said you should abandon them.”

He waited for the argument that usually followed.

I used to ask why every free evening belonged to Mara, why Noah’s nightmares and injuries always came before Ivy, and why our daughter had to live on promises that never became plans. I no longer saw any reason to repeat those questions.

The bedroom door opened, and Ivy stepped into the room holding an old stuffed wolf against her chest. She wore a pale gray nightdress, and her golden-brown hair hung loose over her shoulders.

She did not run to Ronan. She stopped beside me and lowered her head politely.

“Good evening, Alpha Ronan.”

His shoulders stiffened.

“I am your father.”

Ivy looked at him but did not correct herself.

After a moment, Ronan brought a long wooden case from behind the chair and placed it on the table. Inside lay a training bow made for a young wolf, with pale leaf patterns carved into the dark wood.

Ivy had watched the older pups practice with similar bows for months. Ronan had promised to teach her on her birthday.

“I remembered which one you wanted,” he said.

She stayed where she was.

Ronan lifted the bow and crouched in front of her.

“I will take you to the training grounds tomorrow morning. I will be there when you hit your first target.”

Ronan’s phone rang before Ivy could answer. The call came from the pack clinic, and he answered at once.

“Alpha, Noah shifted early after a nightmare and became trapped between forms. He has injured one guard, and the sedatives are not working. We need your command before he hurts himself.”

A crash sounded through the call, followed by a frightened growl.

Mara took the phone from the healer.

“Ronan, I am sorry. Noah keeps calling for his father, and he will not let anyone near him. You are the only person he listens to.”

Ronan was already reaching for his coat.

I understood why he had to go. A young wolf trapped in an incomplete shift could injure himself and everyone nearby. Caleb had entrusted his family to Ronan, and no Alpha could ignore such a crisis.

But it was also Ivy’s birthday.

“Your Beta is already there,” I said. “Once Noah is stable, you can come back.”

Ronan glanced at the training bow.

“I will try.”

We had heard those words too many times.

He stepped toward Ivy and reached for her hair, but she moved closer to me before he could touch her.

“Noah is in danger,” he said. “You are old enough to understand an Alpha’s responsibility.”

Ivy tightened her arms around the stuffed wolf.

Ronan turned to me.

“Take care of her. I will return when Noah is stable.”

He left, and a vehicle started outside moments later. The training bow remained in its open case, the pale carvings reflecting the firelight.

Ivy crossed the room, placed the bow back inside, and fastened the clasps.

“Mom, give it to Noah.”

“Why?”

“He is the child Dad wants to teach.”

She carried her stuffed wolf back to her room.

Late that night, after Ivy had fallen asleep, I entered the study and opened the lowest desk drawer. A white envelope rested inside, sealed with the white wolf crest of the Northern Crown, the family emblem I had not used for seven years.

I had fifteen days to return north, accept my appointment as Northern Crown’s next chief healer, and restore my public identity as the daughter of the Alpha King.

Seven years ago, I had left the Northern Crown for Ronan. I had hidden my name, surrendered the position prepared for me, and stayed in Silverpine as an ordinary healer. I helped him defend the border and build his pack because I believed we were creating a home together.

I signed the summons with the birth name I had hidden from Ronan for seven years: Elena Vale. Then I wrote Ivy’s name beneath mine in the space reserved for accompanying family.

In fifteen days, I would take my daughter home.