Chapter 1

Ella

I wiped the sweat from my brow, carefully tying off the last stitch on the young soldier's forearm. The training accident had left him with a nasty gash, but nothing life-threatening.

"There. Try not to punch any more trees during combat practice," I said, applying a final dab of herbal salve.

The young soldier winced. "It wasn't my fault. Riley dodged at the last second."

"Mmhmm. And I suppose the tree jumped right in front of your fist?" I raised an eyebrow, packing away my supplies.

"Something like that." He flexed his arm cautiously. "Thanks, Luna. You're a miracle worker."

"Just doing my job. Keep it clean and come back tomorrow so I can check it."

As the young soldier left, Mia poked her head in. "Got a minute? The new recruits are struggling with basic first aid."

I glanced at the clock and sighed. It was already 3:30. "I can give you thirty minutes, and then I really need to go."

Those thirty minutes turned into ninety. By the time I finished, it was past five.

"Shoot," I muttered, hastily gathering my things. I'd completely lost track of time, and now I was seriously late.

Jackson's class ended thirty minutes ago, and I'd promised him I wouldn't be late this time. Last week, I'd kept him waiting twice, and the look of disappointment on his little face had been enough to make me swear I'd be punctual. So much for that promise.

The school wasn't far, just across the main compound, but every second felt like an eternity as I pictured Jackson sitting alone on the steps, watching other children leave with their parents. Being Luna came with respect and responsibilities, but to a six-year-old boy, it meant nothing compared to having his mom show up on time.

I practically jogged the last hundred yards. The school building came into view, its brick facade warm in the late afternoon sun. Most of the children had already gone, and the playground was eerily quiet compared to its usual chaos.

My heart sank. No Jackson waiting on the steps.

"Jackson?" I called out, hurrying up to the entrance. Maybe he was inside, waiting in his classroom. I yanked open the heavy door and rushed down the hallway, my footsteps echoing against the empty corridor.

Ms. Palmer was erasing the chalkboard when I burst into Jackson's classroom. She turned, surprise flickering across her face.

"Luna! I thought you'd already picked up Jackson."

"What? No, I'm late. I got caught up with the first aid training and-" I stopped, my stomach tightening. "He's not here?"

She shook her head. "He left about twenty minutes ago."

"Thank you," I managed, already backing toward the door. My mind raced as I hurried out of the building.

Where could Jackson be? My pulse quickened as I scanned the empty schoolyard. Marcus might have picked him up without telling me. He'd done that once before when I was stuck in an emergency council meeting. Or maybe one of our friends had grabbed him—Tessa sometimes took him home with her son when I ran late.

I took a deep breath. No need to panic yet. Jackson was safe, probably already home eating snacks and complaining about homework.

I hurried across the compound, nodding distractedly at the people who greeted me. Being Luna meant everyone wanted a piece of my attention, but right now, my mind was focused solely on finding my son.

As I rounded the corner to our house, relief washed over me. The lights were on. Someone was home. I pushed open the front door, calling out, "Jackson? Are you here?"

"Mom!" Jackson's excited voice rang out from the kitchen, followed by the scrape of a chair and the thunder of small feet. He barreled into the entryway. "You're finally home!"

"I'm so sorry I was late, sweetie." I knelt down, wrapping him in a tight hug. The relief flooding through me made my knees weak. "I got caught up with the first aid training and lost track of time."

"It's okay, Mom!" Jackson squirmed in my embrace, clearly more interested in something else than my apologies. "Guess who picked me up from school? Miss Ava!"

My body went rigid. "Ava?"

As if summoned by her name, Ava Grayson appeared in the doorway between our kitchen and living room, casually leaning against the frame with that effortless grace she'd always possessed.

"Surprise," she said with a little wave. "Hope you don't mind the impromptu babysitting."

I straightened up, one hand still on Jackson's shoulder. "I thought Marcus had picked him up, or maybe Tessa." The unspoken question hung in the air: Why you?

"I was passing by the school," Ava explained, "and saw this little guy sitting alone on the steps. So I brought him home. I figured you were caught up with Luna duties."

I stared at Ava, trying to process her presence in my kitchen. Of all people. Ava Grayson, with her perfect hair and flawless skin, stood in my house like she belonged here. The same Ava who'd grown up alongside Marcus, who'd been his closest friend long before I entered the picture. The same Ava who, according to pack gossip that I pretended not to hear, had expected to be Marcus's mate before I showed up.

"That's... thoughtful," I managed, the words sticking in my throat like dry bread.

Jackson tugged at my sleeve, bouncing on his toes. "Mom! Ava is so cool! She showed me how to make paper airplanes that do loops! And she knows all about dinosaurs. Did you know T-Rexes had feathers? Like chickens!"

"Fascinating," I said, trying to match his enthusiasm.

"We had the best time," Ava said, her smile showing perfect white teeth. "Jackson's quite the little gentleman."

I forced a polite smile. "Thank you for watching him. In the future, though, Tessa usually picks him up if I'm running late."

"But Mom!" Jackson's face scrunched up. "I want Ava to pick me up. She's way more fun than Tessa."

Heat crept up my neck. "Jackson, that's not very nice."

"But it's true! Tessa just makes me do homework. Ava let me have ice cream! With sprinkles AND chocolate sauce!"

My head snapped up. "Ice cream?"

Jackson's eyes went wide, realizing his mistake.

Ava's perfect smile faltered. "Just a small cone. I didn't think-"

"He can't have dairy." The words came out sharper than intended. "His stomach can't handle it. That's why we keep the special non-dairy treats at home."

"Mom, I'm fine!"

"I am so sorry," Ava said, straightening up. "I had no idea."

"That's exactly why Tessa picks him up. She knows about his dietary restrictions." I pressed my fingers to my temples. "Thank you again for today, but please, next time, just call Tessa."

"Of course." Ava gathered her things, flashing a bright smile. "Feel better, Jackson."

As soon as the door closed, Jackson's face twisted with frustration. "Why do you always have to be so mean to Ava? She's nice to me! I wish she could pick me up every day!"

I stiffened. "Nice to you?" I grabbed the pink medicine from the cabinet. "Is that what you call letting you eat whatever you want, whenever you want?"

"At least she doesn't boss me around like you do!"

I inhaled sharply, forcing myself to stay calm. "Treating you like a baby would be letting you stuff yourself with ice cream until you get sick. Remember Tommy's birthday party?"

Jackson crossed his arms. "That was different."

"Oh really? Because I distinctly remember you curled up on the bathroom floor, crying about your stomachache." I measured out the medicine and held it out. "Here. Since I'm such a terrible mom, I'll let you decide—take it now or deal with the pain later."

Jackson let out a dramatic groan but took the medicine. His face contorted in disgust. "Ugh! Ava would never make me drink this nasty stuff."

Something in me cracked. "Of course she wouldn't. Because she's not the one who has to wake up at 2 AM when you're doubled over in pain. She's not the one who has to clean up after you, or make sure you eat real food or take care of you when you're sick."

Jackson frowned but didn't respond.

I exhaled, rubbing my temples. "Go wash your hands for dinner."

As he stomped off, I leaned against the counter, my stomach twisting. He adored the woman who spoiled him rotten but resented the one actually taking care of him.

"Guess that's why Dad asked Ava instead of you."

I froze. "What did you say?"