The Luna crest felt heavier at night. Not physically—though it did have weight, cold silver against her collarbone—but emotionally, like her body had to learn a new way of holding itself. Haley stood in the upstairs hallway with the bedroom door half open, listening. Hazel was talking in the soft, serious voice she used when she was half-asleep and telling the truth by accident. Ryder answered in sleepy murmurs. Haley didn’t interrupt. She leaned her shoulder lightly against the wall and let the moment exist. Inside the room, Hazel whispered, “Do you think Mommy will go away again?” Haley’s breath caught. Ryder’s voice was quiet but certain. “No.” Hazel sniffed. “How do you know?” Ryder yawned. “Because she stayed today and Mommy is stronger than ever now. she would never take us away from Daddy or our family now.” A pause. Hazel’s voice got smaller. “But she stayed because of the council.” Ryder huffed like that was an obvious misunderstanding. “No. She st
Last Updated : 2026-02-16 Read more