"I got it," he says, puffing his chest out slightly. "I'm the mortar."
"You're the mortar," I agree.
As I walk back toward the Administration Wing, I feel Kade’s mental presence flare with the same pride I am feeling. He’s incredible, Kade projects.
He is, I agree. He’s going to be a great Alpha one day.
He already is, Kade replies. Just not of this pack. Of the next one.
At 1000 hours, I retreat to the medical wing.
Elara is awake.
She is sitting up in bed, a tray of untouched food beside her. She looks pale, the dark circles under her eyes stark against her skin, but her eyes are bright, luminous silver. The golden aura that usually clings to her is faint, but it is there, pulsing in time with her breathing.
"Mama," she says, her voice raspy but clear.
I rush to the bed, pulling
