*Chet*

The sound of my friends moving around what’s left of the campfire rouses me, though I’m not yet ready to open my eyes. I spent too many hours speaking to Unega through the mind-link last night. Even though I’ll be exhausted today, it was worth it. A smile spreads across my face before I even open my eyes.

In our language, Kan says, “You’ve got it bad, Alpha.”

He calls me that sometimes, even though I’m not the Alpha yet. It’s just another way he can try to get a reaction out of me. But not today. I blink a few times and look into his face as he...