I was about to leave when Francis stopped me near the packhouse entrance. "Anastasia, will you come home for dinner on Christmas Eve?" he asked softly.
I looked into my father's eyes and caught the hope buried there. Even after everything between us, his wolf still longed for peace inside the family pack. After a brief pause, I nodded. "Sure. I'll bring Jared home for Christmas Eve."
Francis immediately smiled, relief washing over his scent. "Great! I'll ask Naomi to prepare more food. I'll make sure there are dishes Jared likes."
I understood what he wanted. He hoped the pack could sit together like before, without tension or hidden claws. But some wounds between wolves never truly healed. Naomi and Erica's resentment toward me had sunk too deep into their bones, and no amount of pretending could erase it.
