Five years later…

       “Mama, look!”

       Rowan ran down the path, his short little legs kicking up dust as he stumbled toward me, a pretty red leaf in his hand. His golden eyes sparkled as he waved it excitedly.

       “It’s a star! A red star!” he stated proudly, holding it up for me to see.

       I bent down, brushing his messy brown hair away from his face. “Really?” I chuckled.

       “Uh-huh!”

       “Well, it’s a maple leaf, not a star, baby,” I laughed as I handed the leaf back to him.

       He wasn’t disappointed at all, staring at the maple leaf like it held the secrets of the universe. “It looks like a star,” he whispered.

       I held back a laugh. “Well, it can also be a star.”

       He grinned, his gap teeth peeking through, before tucking the leaf into his pocket. “I’m gonna give it to Miss Harper tomorrow. She says maple leaves are lucky.”

       “Miss Harper’s going to think you’re her favorite student,” I teased.

       “I am her favorite,” he said with all the confidence of a five-year-old.

       I laughed softly, ruffling his hair. “Alright, go on now. Don’t be late for school.”

       “Okay, Mama. Muah!” He dropped a big kiss on my cheek and ran off toward the small schoolhouse at the end of the street.

       Five years had passed. Five whole years since I left the man who rejected me.

       And now, watching my darling pup pained me. Rowan looked so much like Kade, with his beautiful brown hair and golden eyes that sparkled when he looked at me.

       I loved my pup, and I had built a life here. But sometimes, I couldn’t help but miss Kade.

       I sighed and stepped into my clinic. After moving to this human town far from werewolf territory, I had opened a clinic. It was small and humble, but the neighbors loved me.

       The bell above the clinic door jingled, and I turned to see Mrs. Andy shuffling in.

       “Morning, Mira,” she said, taking a seat. “This old hand of mine is giving me trouble again.”

       “Morning, Mrs. Andy,” I replied, guiding her to a chair.“I’ll grab the salve. You’ll feel better in no time.”

       As I worked, she made small talk, but I wasn’t focused on her words. I kept wondering. What was Kade doing now? Did he have a pup of his own?

       My heart clenched at the thought. My little Rowan had to grow up without a father while Kade went on with his life. Rowan would probably never know who his father was.

       “Your boy’s a sweetheart,” Mrs. Andy said suddenly.

       I looked at her.

       “I saw him helping Mr. Carson carry groceries last week. You’re raising him right.”

       I smiled, my chest warming at the compliment. “He’s a good kid.”

       “Bet he takes after his father,” she said casually.

       My hand froze on the jar of salve, but I didn’t let it show. “Something like that.”

       After Mrs. Andy left, I continued with my day—patching scraped knees and giving herbal tea for colds. It was quiet, but I liked it.

       The sun slowly dropped in the sky. It was almost time for Rowan to be back.

       I packed up my things, stepping outside to close the clinic. But then, I stopped.

       The air felt… wrong.

       A gust of wind blew past, and my wolf immediately went on alert.

       Rogue. I could smell it.

       No. I forced myself to stay calm. Maybe it was just a lone wolf passing by. Nothing more.

       “Mom!”

       Rowan’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I bent down to pick him up as he ran toward me.

       “How was school?” I asked, pretending to be okay. My hands gripped him tightly.

       “It was okay. Miss Harper says she’ll teach us how to make cookies tomorrow.” His golden eyes glittered proudly.

       “Really?”

       “Uh-huh! They’ll have extra chocolate!”

       I smiled, my gaze darting around. “Well, let’s talk about it when we’re home.”

       We walked back to our little house, and I kept my senses alert, scanning all around me. The scent from earlier was gone now.

       But it still bothered me.