James had told her she had the day off from school and training since she came back a day early. "I still want this to work," she tells James when she returns. "I want Nova to be happy." "And what about you, Petal?" James studies her. He was looking for any hint of doubt or fear. "What about your happiness?""I could be happy too, but I won't know unless we really try. Briar said to trust my instincts, to trust Nova.""Dahlia…your father always meant that for your survival. Not your happiness. You have to follow your heart to be happy. I’m not saying I don’t trust your judgment, Petal," James starts. "Just…just be careful. I will only ever be a mind link away.""I know," she smiles at him. "You know I love you, Petal, right? You are my family in every way that matters." She nods. She knew he did. He didn't say it often now that she was older, but he still showed it at times like this. "I love you too, Uncle James."Spending so much time around her sister and away from her goddess-

James throws open the door to Oliver's office with too much force, and it slams against the wall. "How dare you-" Oliver growls, but the delta slams his fist on the desk, causing the entire thing to rattle. James does not care what he has to say. "I told you last time that if your son laid a hand on my Dahlia again I would not be so kind as to restrain my wolf." James glares at the beta over the desk. Oliver seems to rise to the challenge. "At this moment, she is at Hank Lane's house crying with bruises on her arm. From. George." The delta seethes. His wolf scratched at the surface. "The only reason I am standing here right now instead of hunting George down and making him pay for what he has done is because you and I have been friends for years. But I am losing my patience with that boy of yours, my friend. And I am giving you one last chance, Oliver. Deal with your son before I do! I am going to the Lane house now. I expect George to have learned his lesson by the time

Dahlia wakes up to shouting. It immediately has her on edge.“That’s Nash,” she says out loud to the quiet room. “James is still here,” Nova mentally adds.“Is that-” Lia starts but stops talking recognizes the other voices. She realizes what is happening. She jumps out of bed and rushes toward the sounds of her brother shouting. “Over my dead body!” Nash shouts as she nears the living room, her pace slowing so she can listen.“Now that a bit much,” Beta Oliver says. “Don’t you think?”“Considering the circumstances, you both are lucky you made it through the door with just him shouting,” James says. “This is his house, and he is protecting his sister.”“She’s my mate,” George growl.“Could have fooled me,” Nash snaps. “I’d be well within my right to snap your neck for what you did!”“I’d like to see you try,” George laughs. “You might be warrior, but I’m a beta.”“Enough! Both of you,” James commands, he glances deeper into the house. Gunnar could hear Lia moving around. The others

Tyler hugs Lia and Jael when he sees them."Welcome to the Valor Moon Pack," he grins.They both tell him happy birthday. George clears his throat. "George," Tyler greets, enthusiasm is gone. Lia glares at her mate. "Happy Birthday, Alpha Tyler," George forces a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you," Tyler says. It's a performative formality. Something he was increasingly familiar with as his time as a pack-leading alpha nears. "Come on," the young alpha smiles at his friends. Let me show you around. After a quick tour, Tyler was called away to talk to some of the other guests at his party. George unceremoniously dropped down at the assigned seat at an overly fancy table. Lia rolled her eyes and sat down on her seat beside him. She was Jael had easily made friends with some of Tyler's childhood friends. She got along well with Tyler's future beta, Sam."Could you at least pretend to not be miserable?" she glares at him. "I'm just trying to keep Axel from turning this into a blood-," Ge

Lia drops down on Jael's bed."Rise and shine birthday girl," she says. "Your dad says it's time to get up, or you'll be late for school.""Snooze," Jael grumbles, hitting Lia with a pillow. Lia laughs. "Very childish for your 18th birthday. Come on. I have a surprise for you."Lia gets up and hides something behind her back."Fine, I'll get up." She eyes her best friend. "What do you have?"Lia holds a sleek leather jacket that Jael had been eyeing at the store."Shut up!""Never," Lia grins."But this cost like way too much!" Jael stood