*Daphne*
Lucian shuffled around the house with his new backpack. I had just picked it out for him and his upcoming first day of middle school.
“Lucian, do you like your new backpack?” I hoped he did. He had begged me for that very backpack a few weeks ago.
Hopefully, he hadn’t changed his mind already.
He sighed. “Yeah, I like the backpack.”
“What’s wrong, then?” I went around the couch and put my arm around Lucian’s shoulders.
His eyes were so heavy and sunken.
“Is Dad going to be back in time for my first day of school tomorrow?”
“Oh.” I ran my hand through his hair. “Lucian, your dad got called away to deal with something in a neighboring pack. You know he wants to be there, but he might not get back in time.”
Lucian nodded and bowed his head. “Thanks for the backpack, Mom.”
He shuffled upstairs and I heard his bedroom door closed.