The Blood Moon Pack territory was alive with morning activity, the soft rustle of leaves mingling with the distant howls of young wolves in training. The clearing glowed under the first golden rays of the sun, and laughter and playful yips filled the air.
Julia was kneeling beside a small group of pups, demonstrating proper paw placement for stealthy movement through the forest. Her dark hair fell in gentle waves around her face, and her amber eyes sparkled with both focus and patience. The children mirrored her every movement, their tiny bodies eager to impress the Luna in training.
Among the pups, Thomas had been unusually quiet that morning. Normally full of curiosity and energy, he had a small, determined frown on his face. Finally, he shook his head and stepped closer to Julia, tugging lightly at the sleeve of her tunic.
"Miss Julia… I need to tell you something," he said quietly.
Julia looked down at him, her expression gentle. "What is it, Thomas?" she asked, kneeling so their eyes met.
"I… I found my mommy!" he said proudly, his little chest puffing out. "I want to introduce her to my daddy."
Julia's brows rose in surprise. "Your… mommy?" she asked carefully, unsure where this was leading.
Thomas nodded vigorously. "Yes! You! You're my mommy!"
Julia's heart skipped a beat. She bent slightly to meet his gaze. "Thomas… why do you say that?"
He grinned shyly. "Because you take care of me. You hug me. You play with me. You teach us all. And… I like you the most!"
Julia felt warmth flood her chest. The pain and grief she had carried for months—the loss of her child, the betrayal of Blackthorn, the endless cruelty—seemed to melt for just a moment in the face of this innocent declaration.
"You… you think of me as your mommy?" she asked softly.
"Yes!" Thomas exclaimed, clapping his small hands together. "I want my daddy to meet my mommy!"
Julia's lips curved into a gentle smile. "Alright, Thomas," she said softly. "Then let's go find your daddy."
A Father's Pride
Thomas ran ahead, tiny feet pattering against the soft forest floor, calling out, "Daddy! Daddy!"
George, who had been overseeing the older pups' exercises, looked up as he heard the call. His dark eyes softened when he saw Thomas approaching, a small hand extended in greeting.
"Thomas?" George asked, voice warm, kneeling down to his son's level. "What is it, little one?"
Thomas's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Daddy! I found my mommy!" he shouted, tugging at George's hand and pointing back toward Julia.
George's brows furrowed in confusion, then curiosity. He followed Thomas's tiny hand toward the clearing where Julia stood with the other pups.
As Julia approached, George's eyes widened slightly. There was a strength and grace about her that immediately commanded respect, but there was also warmth and kindness in the way she interacted with the pups—especially Thomas. He could see why the boy had chosen her.
Thomas ran straight into Julia's arms, hugging her tightly. "See, Daddy? She's my mommy!"
Julia chuckled softly, patting Thomas on the back. "Hello, George," she said politely, her amber eyes meeting his. "It seems Thomas has decided I am his mother."
George felt his chest tighten with a mixture of surprise and amusement. He knelt beside them, placing a gentle hand on Thomas's shoulder. "I see," he said with a small smile. "Well, if Thomas says you're his mommy, then I trust his judgment."
Julia's eyes flicked toward George, and for the first time, there was no tension, no uncertainty. Just acknowledgment and a shared understanding. The boy had chosen her, and George was willing to accept that bond.
Thomas beamed at the exchange. "See, Daddy? She's perfect! She hugs me, she teaches us, and she's nice!"
George chuckled, ruffling his son's hair. "Well, I think Thomas has made a very wise choice," he said, glancing at Julia. "It seems we have a new member of the family. And I think she's exactly what Thomas needed."
Julia's Heart Opens
Julia knelt down to meet George's gaze fully. There was a deep respect there, and something unspoken: a partnership, a bond formed not through forced loyalty or power, but through trust and shared care.
"Thomas has a good eye for people," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that she hadn't allowed herself to feel for a long time. "I… I'm happy to be here for him, for the pack. For you too, George."
George's eyes softened. "We're lucky to have you, Julia. You've already changed this place for the better. And for Thomas… you're more than just a teacher. You're family."
Julia felt the weight of her past pain lifting slightly, replaced with a sense of belonging she hadn't known she could feel again. Blackthorn, Alan, and all the cruelty behind her seemed far away in that moment, replaced by laughter, warmth, and hope.
Thomas tugged at Julia's hand again, giggling. "Mommy, can we play now?"
Julia laughed softly, rising to her feet. "Of course, Thomas. But only if you promise to listen carefully while we practice first."
He nodded enthusiastically. "I promise!"
George watched the two, a protective yet gentle presence, feeling the bond forming before his eyes. The pack had grown stronger, but the true strength lay not just in numbers or power—it lay in trust, care, and the love that bound them together.
Julia glanced at George, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's going to be… a good life here," she said softly.
George's hand brushed hers briefly, a silent promise of partnership and protection. "Yes," he agreed. "And it's just the beginning."