I waited, my ears tuned ready to pick up even the slightest of sounds, but I was only met with grave silence, and I panicked.

Could it be they were visiting another pack or had even relocated?

I couldn’t even imagine what I would do if that were the case, because I had no one to stay with, and I wasn’t sure how pleased Thalia would be if I barged into her house after so long a time.

So I tried again, this time banging my hand harder. “Mom, Dad, it is me, Ryan!” I yelled, calling out the name they had bestowed on me, hoping it would jog their...