Draven.
There weren't many in Stormveil who knew about Xamira. Not even some of my pack's higher-ranking warriors. Only my family and the few who needed to know, did.
It wasn't because I feared judgment. I had stood before far worse than whispered questions and wrinkled noses. But I've always drawn a line between what was mine and what the world was allowed to see.
Xamira… she was mine. She wasn't a political pawn or a topic for council debate.
And above all, she was safer here—in Duskmoor.
The Elders would never understand. An unmarried Alpha adopting a human child? It would set off another cycle of lectures and unsolicited advice. I didn't have the energy to entertain their noise.
Xamira's small fingers curled around my larger ones as I led her toward the house. I had to slow my pace, shortening my usual long strides to match her little steps.
