Page 3

“Basch!”Mom shot him alook.

“I’ve already got a reputation,Dad. I wear it withpride.”

“That’swhat I’m worried about,” Mom said. “It’s going to affect your chances at finding a mate. All your brothers are married, andyou—”

“And I’m livingmy life exactly how I want to,” I interrupted. “Marriage, children… It’s not for everyone, and it’s definitely not for me. We’ve gone over this.” Mom and Dad exchanged another look. I was beginning to feel a little irritated. “My work with the clan is enough to keep me occupied. And my racing. Not to mention looking after you two old farts, now that everyone else has movedout.”

“That’swhat the house staff is for,” Mom protested. “You don’t want to live the rest of your life alone, doyou?”

“I’m notafraid of being alone, Mom. Besides, I’m highborn in one of the most powerful clans in Wolfheart. Time alone is agift.”

At that moment,the dining room doors opened and in flew my young niece Alexis, chasing after Kota. Behind the two children followed Christophe, his husband Mason, my youngest brother Vander, and his husband Pell. Mom scooped Alexis into her arms as Kota ran over to Dad and hid behind hischair.

“Let me down, Grandma!”Alexis squealed. “We’re playing ‘wolf and fox’! Kota’s gonna getaway.”

“I’m the fox,”Kota announced, and Dad picked him up and plonked him onto hislap.

“You’recheeky like a little fox, aren’t you?” Dad said, pinching his cheek. I had to smile—Dad was a serious man, a grizzled old wolf worn down by the years as Crescent Moon leader. He only let this side of himself out around thegrandkids.

“Grandpa, stop!”Kotalaughed.

“I’mstarving!”Vander said. “Good morning. Mom, Dad,hello.”

He wentaround the table and gave hugs. Pell followed, hugging Mom and shaking Dad’s and myhand.

“How’s things at the clinic?”I askedPell.

“Busy,as always. We’re getting a lot more wolves coming into townnow.”

“You’ve gained weight,”Mom said toVander.

“It’s all that bear food,”Vander replied, laughing as he and Pell went to the buffet table to get breakfast. “It’s delicious, and I swear we eat till bursting almost every night. Where’s Loch andTresten?”

“They just called,”Christophe said. They’ll be meeting us at thetemple.”

“Good morning,”Mason said to me, pouring himself a cup ofcoffee.

“Not hungry?”Iasked.

“Christophe and I already ate.We’ve been up for a few hours getting Kotaready.”

“I’m goingto give him a bath,” Christophe said. “He decided to go rolling around in thegrass.”

“Idon’t need a bath,”Kotaprotested.

“Yes, you do,”Christophe said. “This is an important day for you, son. C’mon, let’sgo.”

“Aww…I want to keep playing with Alexis. I want to show her the puzzle Aunt Jennifer gaveme.”

“You’ll haveplenty of time for that later. Let’sgo.”

“Better listen to your father,”Dad said, setting Kota back on thefloor.

“So,”Vander said, grinning at me. “How’re things in the life of you? Still chasingtail?”

Igroaned.“What the hell is with all the pryingtoday?”

“I’ll take that as a yes,”Vander said, and everyonelaughed.