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Dante snorts while Emerson smiles slightly. Daisy seems to be surprised at our silly exchange but then smiles too.

I look up. “Oh right, where are our manners? Dante, would you…”

My Beta nods, handing the couple a basket of presents. "This isn't necessary, Lord Liam," Emerson says softly.

“He is right,” Daisy’s eyes are wide in surprise. “You are too kind.”

“It’s nothing special.” I tear my gaze away from the little bundle in my arms. "My mother will come to visit you within the next few days, Daisy. She asked me to tell you.”

She nods eagerly. As the Luna, my mother normally visits all the newborn pups and their mothers. I usually don’t, unless it’s a friend. I know the lower-ranking wolves feel uncomfortable when my father or I invade their homes, but I consider Emerson to be a friend. There is no way I would have missed this.

“Emerson, before I forget: The little bag on top is from Annalise. I told her that your mate gave birth. She asked me to give you her heartfelt congratulations and says she can't wait to see your baby girl.”

Emerson’s eyes widen with joy while my own heart fills with pride. She isn’t even Luna yet, but she already thinks about her future pack members.

Daisy unpacks it curiously. It’s an adorable soft blanket with tiny little wolves on it. I have no idea where Annalise found it, but her present hits home. Daisy’s eyes fill with tears. “Thank you, Lord Liam, thank you. Please tell your mate how much I appreciated the gift. And how happy… this is so sweet… I…”

Emerson pulls her into his arms. “It’s all right, my dear,” he kisses the top of her head.

I nod at Dante. It’s about time we get going. Daisy needs to rest.

“Why is she healing so slowly?” Dante asks when we take our leave.

“My mother told me that there was a power shortage of some sort when she went into labor. It was absolute chaos. The doctor hurried to her house while she was already in the middle of giving birth. It didn’t go without complications.”

“Goddess,” Dante mutters. “It should have been such a wonderful day for her, probably the best of her life, and now she can only look back at it with fear.”

“Emerson will be there for her,” I point out. “She came out of everything scarred, but she will heal. She has a wonderful little daughter and a mate who loves her.”

“That’s true,” Dante muses. “Sap,” he adds.

“You know you can’t play the I-watched-you-grow-up and I-am-like-your-older-brother card forever?” I state bluntly.

He chuckles. “I know.”

I nod towards the forest. “Let’s shift and check out the borders. Haven’t been on patrol since forever.”

Every time I set Fenris free, it also frees my own mind. I love running through the forest. My enhanced senses allow me more insight into everything happening around me. It’s the perfect day for a run too. Dante and I are about to take off when I hear it in my mind.

LIAM! Help me!

Chapter eighteen

Chapter 18 Run!

*ANNALISE*

Irunwithoutlookingback. My instincts tell me to run further into the park, but then my intuition kicks in, and Leah kicks in, making me run into a more habited area. If I scream there, someone will hear me.

No one will hear me in a park.

Wolves won’t attack me when there are humans around.

It seems like the wolves figured out my plan because they picked up their pace too. Gladly they are in their human forms. The fact that we're in the city makes it advantageous for me. Just imagine news about a wolf problem going around.

They finally catch up in the parking lot between the park and campus. One of the guys lunges at me, pulling me to the ground. He laughs… it’s just a game to him. The others have stopped running, circling me now.

The guy on top of me looks older than the others. He grabs me by my wrists when I struggle, pinning me to the ground. “Awe,” he sneers. “Fighting, are we? Cute kitten.”