Chapter 0026
Agnes
Flipping the binder open, I was met with page after page of names, faces, and intricate webs of alliances. Alphas and Lunas from every corner of the world, their pack sigils and colors, major exports, closest allies–even trivial details like their favorite foods. and preferred wines.
And at the top of the first page, written in Elijah’s handwriting: “Memorize all of this before the gala.”
“Is he serious?” I muttered under my breath as I flipped through the pages. “He expects me to memorize all of this?”
A soft voice piped up behind me. “Mommy, what’s that?”
I turned to see Thea rubbing the sleep from her eyes, her hair adorably tousled. I couldn’t help but smile. “Good morning,
sweetheart. It’s just some… homework I have to do.”
Intrigued, she jumped out of bed and padded over to me, peering curiously at the binder. “Homework? Like the kind I get from
school?”
“Something like that,” I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck with my hand. “But maybe a bit more boring than what you’re
used to.”
She tilted her head, studying the colorful sigils and portraits. She pointed at one of the headshots of a Luna from some random
pack I’d honestly never even heard of. “Who are all these people?”
“Alphas and Lunas from other packs,” I replied with a soft sigh. “I need to learn about all of them for for my lessons.”
Her eyes widened. “But there are so many. You have to know about all of them?”
“Apparently so,” I sighed again, half–laughing. “And I need to learn about all of them soon, too. Before that big party that’s
coming up.”
Thea’s brow furrowed as she thought deeply for a few moments. Then, suddenly, her face brightened with an idea. “Maybe I can
help you!” she exclaimed.
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? And how would you do that?”
She grinned mischievously. “We can make a game out of it! It’ll be fun!”
“A game, huh?” I considered her suggestion. Balancing this mountain of information with spending time with Thea seemed impossible, but maybe she was onto something. “Alright, I’m listening.”
“Yay!” she cheered. “After breakfast, we can start!”
We spent the morning making a mess more than breakfast. Thea begged me for pancakes, which actually sounded appealing after
last night. Soon enough, flour dusted the countertops, and Thea insisted on adding chocolate chips to the pancake batter. As we
+15 BONUS
sat down, she looked up at me with syrup somehow smeared across her cheek already even though we hadn’t started eating yet.
“Mommy, did you have fun at your birthday last night?” she asked innocently as she shoveled a big forkful of pancake into her
mouth.
I hesitated as memories of the kiss came flooding back. I’d really hoped that I wouldn’t have to think about it today, but that was
silly of me anyway. “I… I did, thanks to you,” I said, forcing a smile.
She giggled as she reached for her orange juice. “I saw you and Daddy kissing last night.”
My fork paused midway to my mouth. “You… you did?”
“Mhm. Does that mean you’re getting married?”
A pang hit my chest, but I forced a smile. “Well, sometimes grown–ups kiss without… without getting married.”
“Why not?”
“It’s complicated, sweetheart.”
She seemed to ponder this. “Well, I think you and Daddy should be together!
I swallowed hard, not sure how to respond. “Let’s finish our breakfast, okay? We have a big game to play.”
She opened her mouth to say more but then nodded, returning her attention to her pancakes. Thankfully, after that, she seemed distracted enough by breakfast and the thought of playing outside to keep pining over a fairytale marriage that was definitely
never going to happen.
After we cleaned up, we took the binder out to the garden to play. The sun was warm, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. I spread out a blanket under a large oak tree, laying the binder open between us
“Okay,” I began, pointing to the first page. “This is Alpha Jonathan of the Fullmoon Pack Their sigil is a silver wolf howling at
the full moon.”
D
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