Three moon-rises after our blood-oath, Asher accompanied me to the Southern Range’s ancestral den—the territory of my birth, where Thane ruled as Alpha.The greeting feast was laid out in the great cavern, roasted game and blood-wine steaming on stone slabs. My dam, a silver-furred she-wolf with Thane’s same sharp eyes, circled Asher with a predator’s assessing gaze, then crooned with approval, her tail wagging in tight, pleased arcs."Asher," she said, pressing a warm flank against his arm. "Our Amara was young and foolish before. Impulsive. You must be patient with her.""If she missteps," she added with a flash of teeth that was half-smile, half-warning, "tell me, and I’ll nip her ears for you."Asher ducked his head, respectful. "Thank you, my lady."He looked at me then, his gaze steady and warm. "Amara is… perfect. Better than any she-wolf in the territories."My ears burned beneath my fur. My dam’s tail wagged faster, delighted."Good, good," she chuffed. "Then you must fill the
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