Sixteen years.
To a human, sixteen years is a massive, life-altering chapter. To a werewolf, it is merely the blink of an eye. Yet, sitting on the heavy wooden porch of the Blackwood Manor, wrapped in a thick wool blanket and watching the winter snow melt from the ancient pine trees, it felt as though an entire lifetime had passed since the war with the Vanguard.
The North was completely at peace. The Hearth had grown from a simple restaurant into the beating, vital heart of our community. Caleb, despite the distinguished silver streaks now lightly dusting his dark hair, was still the undisputed, terrifying Alpha of the North.
But our story was no longer just ours. The spotlight, the energy, and the chaos of the pack had entirely shifted to the next generation.
"He’s going to b
