[TWO YEARS AGO]

Fiona had spent the better part of the first two years doing everything she could to pull Summer out of the misery left by the war. She had resumed her duties as Luna, as well as those of the Alpha.

After Ashleigh left to join the monster raids, Fiona began to hear the concerns that floated around Summer. But it never seemed to grow into more than a few wolves with a few differences of opinion. With so much left to rebuild and new alliances to maintain, she didn’t have the time or energy to pay much attention to it.

She had other concerns. Other things that weighed on her heart and mind.

Fiona had led Summer for a very long time, with and without Cain, with and without Caleb. She knew how to lead and how to lead well. But something had changed. Something was different.

It was more tiring, heavier. Simple tasks that she had done for years were starting to feel overwhelming at times. As she walked through the halls of the old and the new buildings, she found that the walls felt closer than before, and the path she walked grew longer.

She sought the comfort of the open air and breeze. She longed for the scent of flowers and wild herbs. But with all her duties, a stroll through the forest was no longer something she could do whenever she felt like it.

The best she could do was the patio at the top of the command building. In the year since Ashleigh had returned to join the raids and subsequently, unofficially, joined Liam’s pack, Fiona had found herself coming here at least once a day. It had become a retreat of sorts.

A small garden, a comfortable bench, and one of the clearest views of the Summer territory. To one side, she could look out at the central hub, the research buildings, and residential zones. On the other side, she could see the mountains and the forest.

She sat on the bench, resting both her hands atop her cane, which sat between her legs. Taking a deep breath through her nose, she closed her eyes and tried to push away the thoughts and fears that crowded her.

But mingled into that inhale of the crisp air, she found a scent that had become quite familiar to her. One that didn’t belong in Summer.

Fiona sighed.

“This is a private space,” she said. “I believe I have made that clear on several occasions.”

Fiona didn’t bother to look back. She knew he continued to approach despite clearly indicating that she did not want his or anyone else’s company.

Landon sat down beside her without hesitation or shame. Even without turning her eye toward him, she knew he was looking at her with a self-satisfied grin.

“Do you ever feel even the slightest bit of shame?” she asked. “You’re an Alpha, not a child.”

Landon chuckled and leaned back against the bench, dramatically taking a deep breath.

“I’m still new to all of this,” he said. “I guess I haven’t learned how to be a proper Alpha yet.”

Fiona shook her head with a tired sigh.

“It’s been three years,” she said.

Landon smiled and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and turning to look up at her with a devilish grin as he spoke.

“Perhaps it would be best if I had a teacher,” he said, “someone with years of experience who can guide me properly.”

Fiona felt the quickening of her heart. She turned away, closing her eyes, clenching her jaw, and holding tight to her cane.

For two years, this boy had been chasing after her. She thought he would have grown bored of this pointless game and given up long ago, but still, he persisted.

Much to her disappointment, her body had begun to betray her in his presence. For a long while, she felt only surprised and annoyed by the attention he showed her. But over time, the way he looked at her, the things he said and noticed, they had begun to cause her concern.

“Who could tolerate your childishness enough for that?” she scoffed.

Landon laughed and leaned back on the bench again.

“Am I really so bad?” he asked.

Fiona sighed but did not answer.

“Why are you here?” she asked. “Other than to harass me.”

Landon did not respond right away.

“There are others here in Summer who do not find my presence quite so offensive,” he said, his playful tone was gone.

Fiona furrowed her brows. She turned to him. The expression he wore was serious. He generally played as though he didn’t understand the importance of his role, as though it were all just a game. But Fiona knew very well how serious he could be.

Broken Crag had always been a small pack of little interest to any other pack outside their fighting prowess. They were a solitary and closed-off group, not welcoming to outsiders and not showing any interest in anyone beyond their borders.

But in the three years since the war, Broken Crag had risen to stand equally alongside Winter and Summer. The efforts they made before, during, and after the war to aid the wolves as a whole had been acknowledged by all.

Jonas was a great man. He had done all he could for his wolves and played a significant role in shaping them into what they were now. But it was Landon who had stood beside Axel and Galen at every gathering, sharing ideas and offering solutions. Landon had opened the gates of the Crag to those in need and sent his wolves to reinforce the borders when rogues tried to claim lands damaged in the war.

Landon had more than proven himself to be a strong and powerful man. He was a leader who cared for his people and understood the need for both strength and compassion.

So, as she looked at him now, with the expression he wore as Alpha, she found herself concerned at the potential meaning of his words.

If he was trying to imply that he had found another woman to pursue, if he was trying to make her jealous, his expression would not have changed. He would have continued to smile and laugh. He would have tried to coax her to drop her guard, not cause her to reinforce it.

“What does that mean?” she asked, her voice steady.

Landon met her eyes, unshaken and focused.

“Your wolves are restless,” he said. “They’re circling, growling, and snapping at each other’s heels.”

“Every pack has highs and lows,” she said. “You’ll understand when you have more experience.”

Landon looked away.

“It won’t be long now,” he said quietly.

“Until?” Fiona asked.

He turned back toward her, his eyes locking with hers.

“Until they are ready to sink their teeth into each other’s throats.”