18 YEARS AFTERDavid - 19 years old Colton - 19 years old Enzo - 17 years old (turning 18 in a few days)-----------------DAVID's POV (AUSTIN AND LEXI’S PUP)I sat on top of the boulder, overlooking the meadows in this territory, trying to find peace in my heart. But no matter where I looked or what I thought of, nothing could change reality. I was still wolf-less. I was already nineteen. For a year, I had been waiting for my wolf.Enzo shifted last night. He was the youngest, and the plan was that as soon as he shifted, Colton, he, and I would begin to prepare for our ranked ceremonies. Colton was ready to be the next Alpha, and so was Enzo as his Beta. I was ready, too. I was ready to take over the Gamma position from my father, but without a wolf, it was impossible to take over. I closed my eyes as I recalled the conversation we had with Dad, Alpha Jace, and Beta Tyler. They would stay in position a bit longer, waiting for my wolf to come out. But they had already decided tha

LEXI.It was only six in the morning, but I had been awake for the last hour. Luna Amara, Catherine, and I went out early and threaded the forest to go to the spot where the Luna would always leave mangoes to the god of the wolves, Eros. After our pups decided that they would not break the bond between them and would still want David to become the next Gamma, I had been crying nonstop, but I tried to do it in the privacy of our room. I felt responsible. My actions almost twenty years ago resulted in my son’s pain. If I hadn’t been compulsive and too trusting, maybe I would not have let Randall get too close to me then. I know there should be no reason for regret because Randall turned out to be a wonderful person, but a part of me was dying every time I looked at my son.David, despite everything that had been going on lately, still exhibited the values Austin and I had taught him and his siblings over the years. And it made me so proud of him. He didn’t deserve this fate, but I neve

LEXI.I held on to the kitchen counter as I listened to the family mindlink. I wanted to say many things, but my words failed me. Instead, I cried, letting out all the emotions that had shattered my heart for many months, ever since David didn’t shift on time. I felt the burden lift off my chest.All these years, I thought Austin and I did well raising our pups. Each of them had a different personality that they inherited from me and him. But all of them were disciplined, and they grew up with so much love that they knew how to give it out as well. I had everything I ever wanted. I shouldn’t be complaining.But then David didn’t shift. And I wanted to question why. I wanted to be upset because he didn’t deserve it, but I couldn’t. Because I was given a good life. I was given a good family and given a good pack. I felt questioning the Goddess about his wolf might be too much. So when he told everyone he had shifted, I didn’t know where to channel my gratitude. I kept crying on my ow

ALPHA JACE.We let our wolves run around the territory, rounding the whole area, border to border. Zero should have been tired, but for some reason, he was not. Black and Atlas also did not show any signs.Maybe it was the adrenaline or the fact that our wolves knew that this would be the last moment we would rule this place, as tomorrow, we would pass on to our sons the responsibility of taking care of this territory.We had a good run. Most of the shifters out tonight who saw us asked permission to join us, and I couldn’t be more proud to share this run with them. The longer we ran, the more wolves ran with us. We all shared stories along the way. Our people recounted tales of our assistance and how we touched their lives.It was a bittersweet moment, but nevertheless, it made me proud. What more could an Alpha ask for before he retired? Having his people personally thank him for his service was an honor I didn’t know I needed. But I basked in it and let it warm my whole soul. After