164. Grateful

Jackson grinned when Dylan rolled his eyes at him as Hope led him by the finger to the tea party she had set up in the garden.

“Enjoy your party,” he called to them before he turned and walked toward the packhouse.

The trainees had the day off today, but he was pleased that most of them took their training seriously and were sparring in the fields. All the kids had to grow up quickly after the last war. In a few days, they would all hold a memorial honouring all the people they had lost.

Gavin walked up to him before he reached the door.

“Everything is all set, Alpha,” he said.

Gavin was the most prominent reminder of what the war had cost him. He’d had to fill Micah’s big shoes. Though it wasn’t his fault, his heart cracked whenever he saw Micah’s replacement as the Gamma.

“Thank you. We’ll be ready in time,” he said with a nod.

The packhouse was spotless as usual, awaiting all the guests he had invited. As he walked toward the stairs, Faith’s mother walked in, a huge sm