Ardan’s PoV

17 years later

Over the years, my pack and Joachim’s have been able to coexist in the same territory but different lands. We had rebuild enough that were no longer staying in tents but high rise buildings.

I sat comfortably settled behind my desk sifting through maps and reports. The years had not been completely kind to me. I stared at the ceiling for what felt like hours, seventeen years of leading a fractured pack, of raising Evelyn alone, of waiting—always waiting—for Serena to wake.

My contemplations were cut short by the appearance of Alpha Joachim. Standing at the entrance, he entered through the doorway, with his face...