72

All my life, the only physical affection I had ever received had come from my mom, who hugged and loved on me as often as I let her, and the pups I babysat who didn’t know any better. The Kings’ wolves, however, avoided touching me like I was dirty.

But that had changed when I arrived here. Tavi practically threw herself at me at every opportunity, jumping at the possibility of holding my hand or hugging me. Jasper reached for me every once in a while too, and even Night seemed to touch my arm or my wrist when we were close. I used to watch how affectionate the Kings’ wolves were with each other and crave even a taste of the same treatment.

But here, with the Wargs, I finally knew what it was like to touch and be touched by someone I cared about, someone who wasn’t my mom, and it felt like a door opening for me.

When Lillian let go, she smiled at me once more before turning to her son. “Pax, it’s time to go home.”

Pax whined, stomping his feet.

“Pax, honey, don’t make me say it a seco