“Well,” her father continued, grinning, “it would certainly give Alpha Jarrod and myself something to do….”

He barely finished the sentence before Aakifahlynn’s mother nudged him sharply with her elbow as they sat side by side.“Dear,” she said pointedly, “do I need to remind you that we’re retired?”

Her husband smiled sheepishly. “I only meant we’d be available in case of emergencies.”

Aakifahlynn’s mother straightened in her chair and gave him an incredulous look, clearly unimpressed. “Emergencies? The worst is behind us. Besides, I am quite certain Demarion and Aakifahlynn have everything well under control.”

She huffed and shot him a pointed glance, he was not about to derail their...