Chapter 34: Settling In
Draven.
There weren’t many in Stormveil who knew about Xamira. Not even some of my pack’s higher-ranking warriors. Only my family and the few who needed to know, did.
It wasn’t because I feared judgment. I had stood before far worse than whispered questions and wrinkled noses. But I’ve always drawn a line between what was mine and what the world was allowed to see.
Xamira... she was mine. She wasn’t a political pawn or a topic for council debate.
And above all, she was safer here—in Duskmoor.
The Elders would never understand. An unmarried Alpha adopting a human child? It would set off another cycle of lectures and unsolicited advice. I didn’t have the energy to entertain their noise.
Xamira’s small fingers curled around my larger ones as I led her toward the house. I had to slow my pace, shortening my usual long strides to match her little steps.
Xamira chattered beside me, talking about her drawing pad and the "princess castle" she’d built with couch cushions. Her excitement was infectious.
Then, I heard a voice—soft and formal—from behind.
"My lady, let’s head inside. The warriors will bring your bags in."
It took me a full second to remember who that ’lady’ was.