Elena’s POV


    They froze at my words. Luna Kate is looking at me with confusion, while Alpha Mark stares at me with a sharp gaze that is almost judging every inch of me.


    Taking a deep breath, I exined to them, “While other heirs are being trained, shaped, and prepared, Rafael spent years suffering. I will not let him lose more time. He needs Deacon’s guidance. He needs to live under the roof of his future Alpha, to learn firsthand what it means to lead.”


    Most Alpha heirs knew who they would be since their birth. They had their childhood, but it was different from the rest. They lived knowing they’d lead the ce they grew up in, and they were mentally prepared from childhood for that role.


    But Rafael was different. He didn’t grow up with that upbringing. His only advantage right now was that he had be street smart, having survived what he had survived until now.


    Besides, who else could train an alpha heir more than a prince and god of war himself?


    I’m sure bringing him with you to Deacon’s house after marriage would be very beneficial to him, not only as an Alpha but as a kid. We’ll be his parents. We’ll love him as much as my brother and sister–inw would have loved him.


    Luna Kate’s eyes were still glistening with withheld tears, but she shook her head with firmness. “You speak of duty as if it matters more than his childhood. Elena, he is just a boy.”


    “I know,” I whispered, ncing at Rafael, who looked between us silently. “But he won’t remain a boy forever. His scars, his pain–they cannot erase who he was born to be. My pack needs an Alpha one day, and that Alpha is him. I must prepare him, no matter how difficult the path.”


    I know. I sounded cruel. But he was the only hope of our pack and the hope that would keep peace among our kingdom. And I knew he could handle it. Rafael was my brother’s pup, and he already proved hw strong he was by how he miraculously managed to survive on his own in the cruel ce he lived in.


    Deacon’s hand slid over mine on the table, steadying me, just as he always did when doubt wed at me. His deep voice joined mine, calm but unyielding. “Rafael belongs with us. He will grow under my care, under Elena’s love. And one day, when the timees, he will be ready.”


    Mark bristled, his Alpha aura flickering faintly, but Deacon met it without flinching. The silent exchange of dominance ended when Luna Kate’s soft sob broke the tension.


    I turned to her, my heart aching. “He will never lose you. I promise that. You are his blood, his roots. But he must also walk the path fate has given him. He’ll be the Alpha of IronPaw Pack. That will never change, whether he goes or stays with us. But I don’t want him to grow up unprepared. That would be a greater cruelty to him than any of this.”


    The silence stretched around us from the truth of my words.


    Finally, Mark exhaled heavily, his shoulders sinking. He’s an Alpha as well, objectively, and I knew he knew what I meant.


    <b>“</b>You truly believe this is best for him?” he asked.


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    “I do,” I said with an unwavering voice, nodding. “He is my family. He had always been the apple of our eyes. I take care of him.”


    ncing at Deacon, I corrected, “We’ll take care of him.”


    Rafael looked up at me then, his small fingers tightening around mine. For the first time, he spoke without hesitation, his voice soft but sure. “I’ll go with Aunt Elena.”


    The room froze. Even Mark’s stern gaze faltered at Rafael’s quiet resolve. Luna Kate covered her mouth, tears streaming freely.


    That was the answer we all needed. It’s not from me, from Alpha Mark, or Luna Kate, but from the person himself who was truly involved. It’s Rafael’s choice.


    <b>I’ll </b>


    I drew him gently into my arms, holding him against me as my throat and eyes burned, moved by his faith in me.


    “Then it’s decided,” I whispered into his dark hair. “You’lle home with me. You’ll grow strong. You’ll learn. And one day, you’ll take your rightful ce.”


    Mark’s sigh filled the room, heavy with reluctant eptance. “Very well. But know this, Elena–I will hold you to your word. If he suffers under your care, if he is lost to the weight you ce on his shoulders, I will not forgive you.”


    I nodded, meeting his eyes. “Then I’ll make sure you never have reason to.”


    Later, as we prepared to leave, Luna Kate clung to Rafael once more, pressing kiss after kiss to his cheeks. “My sweet boy… You are always wee here. Always.”


    Rafael, though shy, hugged her back and whispered in a small voice, “I’ll visit.”


    Upon saying that, he cast me a nce for reassurance to which I nodded, giving him the silent promise that he would never lose them.


    As we stepped outside into the morning sun, Deacon ced a steady hand on my back. Rafael walked between us, his small steps carrying the weight of a future he couldn’t yet grasp.


    But I grasped it. And I swore to the Moon Goddess that no matter what storms awaited, I would shape him into the Alpha my pack needed.


    Not just for duty. But for love.


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    Sara Lili


    Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icyndscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of d’s breathtaking cold.