Olivia
I saw Nathan open his mouth, clearly searching for the right words. Before he could speak, I touched his arm lightly, silently letting him know that I’d handle it.
“Layla, let me explain.” My voice trembled, though I tried to keep it steady. “It’s about Aurora. My daughter.”
Layla looked between us, her eyes narrowing. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”
Taking a deep breath, I said, “I made a deal with a witch. For the final artifact to become the Ancient Wolf.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “You what?”
“It was a desperate time, Layla. Either let Ryan and the Redclaws annihilate our pack or become powerful enough to protect everyone.” My eyes stung as I spoke, my heart heavy with regret. “The witch let me keep Aurora until she’s three, but after that… I have to hand her over
