ROMAN
I wasn't supposed to be here.
Not at the Moonbinding festival. Not on Moonstone territory. And certainly not standing beside Vanessa, with our son bouncing excitedly between us.
Yet here I was, watching my boy's eyes shine with the reflected light of a hundred lanterns as he took in the festival preparations. His small hand gripped mine tightly, as if afraid I might disappear if he let go.
"Dad, look! They're setting up the scavenger hunt markers!" Fabian pointed toward a group of pack members placing colorful flags throughout the festival grounds. "Leo says it's the best part of the whole festival."
I squeezed his hand gently. "Is that so?"
"Yeah! Mom always wins, but this year—" He stopped suddenly, his attention caught by something across the lawn. "Mom! Mom's here!"
