The atmosphere in the hospital waiting room was stifling, a heavy pall of tension and worry blanketing everyone present. The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed quietly, an undercurrent to other families and patients' low murmurs of conversation. But in one corner, Gideon, Avla, and their pack sat in almost complete silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on them all. Gideon stood slightly apart, his tall frame silhouetted against the window pane. Outside, the inky sky was punctuated by the rising crescent moon, its silvery glow painting a soft luminescence on the world below. He sighed deeply, his fingers instinctively going to the back of his neck, massaging the tense muscles there. Hearing the sigh, Avla rose and approached him. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her cheek against his back. The quiet gesture, full of warmth and comfort, was a small island of solace in the sea of their current turmoil. Yet even as she held him close, she could

The past days' events had been a vortex of emotion and conflict, but now, standing amid the collective of his pack, Gideon felt an undercurrent of something new — possibility. While Tanner's inability to shift brought about challenges, it also unveiled an opportunity Gideon hadn't fully contemplated before. The presence of another potential Alpha might be a source of tension, but it could also be a force of strength and unity for the pack. Much like a son being groomed to take the reins of leadership one day. And what was Tanner, if not a son? Gideon made a decision after some internal wrestling and many fierce negotiations with his wolf.During the next training session, he approached Tanner with a proposition. "I want you to lead today," Gideon declared. Tanner blinked in surprise, his eyebrows knitting together, clearly taken aback. The surrounding pack members exchanged glances, their unease palpable. They had become accustomed to Gideon's leadership, and introducing Tanner in

The following day, the sun peeked through the curtains of the meeting room, casting long golden rays across the massive wooden table. Maps, charts, and patrol schedules covered the surface. Gideon, Kane, and Thomas poured over the details, plotting and planning. Their focus: fortifying the border. With Yorgan's imminent release, they couldn't take any chances. Kane ran a hand through his grizzled hair, studying the intricate markings on one of the maps. "When are you planning to release him?" he asked, looking up at Gideon. Gideon hesitated for a moment, his gaze steely. "Soon. Very soon." Kane looked about to press further, but Gideon's tone left no room for negotiation. "For security reasons, I can't specify the exact time. Just be prepared." The gravity of the situation was clear, and though they each had their reservations, their trust in Gideon's leadership bound them. The cloak of night brought with it an eerie stillness, and under its cover, Gideon woke Avla up quietly.

As Avla stepped into the shower, the rising steam and cascading water heightened the unusual sensations she was starting to feel. Her body felt unusually warm, a sign she was familiar with but hadn't expected just yet.Outside, Gideon hesitated by the bathroom door. "I think I'll skip the shower," he said, voice strained. "Don't want to, you know... lose control."Avla let out a laugh, thinking he was joking. But when she peeked out from behind the shower curtain, she found his face dead serious. Her laughter died down. "Oh, you're genuinely serious," she murmured, a bit taken aback.While she continued with her shower, Gideon's phone buzzed. He picked it up to find a message from Tanner. Opening it revealed a heartwarming picture: Tanner and the other boys nestled in his soon-to-be bedroom. Despite being a skeletal frame of plywood and studs, their exuberance filled the space. Gideon's lips curled into a smile.Yet, almost simultaneously, a pang of jealousy stirred within him. It was

The gentle caress of dawn permeated the room, its golden tendrils wrapping around Avla and Gideon, still nestled together on the soft rug by the fireplace. As consciousness returned, she felt the warmth of Gideon's head resting on her hip. His fingers danced delicately on her skin, tracing abstract patterns, lost in contemplation. Feeling her stir, Gideon glanced up, meeting her eyes with a serene gaze. "She's in there," he whispered, tapping her belly lightly. "I know it." Avla laughed, her voice soft and melodic in the morning hush. "You sound so certain. And 'she?'" Sitting up, Gideon exhaled deeply, the weight of a revelation pressing upon him. "I had a dream last night. My mother's spirit visited me. She told me she ensured our child would be a girl. She even mentioned that, surprisingly, my father was thrilled at the idea of a granddaughter." Avla's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Your mother came to you? Truly?" Nodding, Gideon continued, "She did. And