ric''s brow furrowed, but his voice stayed gentle. "And Nn?”


    "He was waiting for them. In wolf form. He didn''t look angly or threatening, but..." I hesitated, searching for words. "It felt final somehow. Like if they reached him, I''d lose them."


    He leaned back slightly, studying me with that calm, thoughtful patience that had be second nature to him.” Tell me, Ellie-what do you think the goddess was showing you?"


    "I don''t know," I admitted. "Maybe that he''s going to take them from me."


    "Or," he said softly, "that he''s meant to protect them."


    I looked up sharply. "I can protect them."


    ric nodded. “I know you can. But maybe not alone. The goddess rarely sends the same vision twice unless the meaning has changed. Perhaps she''s showing you not what you fear-but what must happen."


    I swallowed. "You think she wants me to trust him?"


    "I think she wants you to trust yourself," he replied. "You already know how you feel about Nn, and about the boys. The goddess doesn''t make mistakes, Ellie. Neither did you when you followed your instincts."


    I sank back in my chair, staring out the window where the sunlight was spilling over the courtyard. "My instincts are at war with each other, ric. Half of me wants to keep the boys here, where it''s safe. The other half..." I trailed off.


    "The other half misses him."


    I nodded silently.


    He stood and came around the desk, resting a hand on my shoulder. "You don''t have to make any decisions yet. You and the boys will always have a home here in Moonstone. But don''t let fear decide for you. Fear clouds the goddess''s voice faster than anything else."


    His warmth steadied me. I took a deep breath, letting the words settle. "Thank you."


    "Always," he said simply. "You''re my daughter. I failed you once when I lost you-l won''t fail you again."


    My throat tightened. "You didn''t fail me. The goddess brought me back when it was time."


    He smiled faintly. "And perhaps she''s doing the same for Nn now."


    I wanted to believe that. Truly. But the image of the boys running into the fog


    wouldn''t leave me. Every instinct screamed that something wasing-something I couldn''t stop.


    A knock at the open door pulled me from my thoughts. Cassan stepped inside, already dressed for travel. His usually neat hair was slightly mussed, his jaw tight.


    "Morning," he said quickly. "Sorry to interrupt."


    "You''re heading out?" ric asked.


    Cassian nodded. "I''ve got a meeting scheduled."


    I frowned. "With who?"


    He hesitated just long enough for me to notice. "Nn. We''re going over some reports about rogue activity."


    "Everything all right?" I asked, studying him.


    +25 Bonus


    "Yeah," he said too easily. “Just routine."


    ric''s gaze lingered on him, but he didn''t press. “Be careful on the roads."


    "Always." Cassian gave a brief nod to us both and turned to go. I caught the faint stiffness in his shoulders, the clipped rhythm of his stride. He was trying to look casual, but tension radiated from him.


    "Cassian," I called softly.


    He paused in the doorway, half-turned toward me. "Yeah?"


    "You sure everything''s fine?"


    For a heartbeat, I thought he might actually tell me. His expression softened- brotherly, apologetic-but then he forced a smile. "Don''t worry so much, Laney. I''ll see you for dinner."


    And then he was gone.


    I stared after him, the unease settling deeper in my stomach. The air in the study suddenly felt heavier, the morning light too bright.


    ric watched silently for a moment before speaking. "He''s working too hard. The uptick in rogue activity near the border has him rattled."


    I nodded. "I know."


    "Then trust him to tell you when he can," ric said gently "Cassian''s like me in that way-he carries burdens alone until he''s sure he won''t drop them.”


    I forced a small smile. "That''s notforting."


    “No,” he agreed, “but it''s true.”


    I rose, crossing to the window again. Outside, the courtyard was filling with pack members,ughter rising as the day began. Everything looked peaceful. Ordinary.


    And yet, for the first time in months, I couldn''t shake the sense that peace was only the surface of something deeper-something shifting beneath our feet.


    I pressed a hand to the ss, eyes unfocused on the morning light.


    "The goddess doesn''t make mistakes,” ric had said.


    Maybe not.


    But sometimes, I thought, the goddess''s lessons hurt far more than the uncertainty


    did.


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