Healers materialized from everywhere, swarming Rory like he'd just discovered a new universe.

Mom actually shoved through the crowd, her usual composure completely shattered.

“Let me see… let me see it….” Mom grabbed Rory's hands, examining the plant with the intensity of a wolf on the hunt. Her eyes went wider and wider. "Pluming berry. Actual plumming berry. It's… it's viable. It's real."

She whirled on Malcolm.

"Alpha. We need to secure the eastern ridge. Now. If there's one, there could be more. This changes everything… our healing capabilities, our trade value, our. This is the single greatest medical discovery in pack history."

She stopped, took a breath, and for...