Emilia turned to Raymond slowly, and with a soft voice, she asked. “Are you ever going to tell me?” she asked, her eyes searching his.

Raymond tilted his head, confused. “Tell you what?”

“How your father died,” Emilia said, her words gentle but firm. “And what happened on and after the day I left the pack forever.”

The question lingered in the air between them, heavy with unspoken memories and truths. For a moment, Raymond hesitated, his lips pressing into a thin line. Then, with a deep breath, he nodded.

“You deserve to know,” he said quietly.

His hand found its way to her shoulder, a firm but comforting gesture...