The walk to the orphanage was peaceful, I still had 3 guards with me, but they kept their distance. When I pushed open the heavy iron gate and stepped into the courtyard, the usual chorus of children's laughter filled the air. Dorothy was standing near the porch, holding a large basket of freshly folded linens. The moment her eyes landed on me—and the sleek leather folder under my arm—she set the basket down, her hand flying to her mouth.
"Rachel!" Dorothy gasped, hurrying down the steps toward me. "Is that...?"
"Signed, sealed, and completely official," I announced with a wide grin, sliding the thick parchment packet out of the folder and handing it to her. "Alpha signature, Queen signature, and Eloise's consent. Toby is officially her son."
Dorothy took the parchment with trembling ha
