In the silvery waterfall of moonlight, Jonathan Aztec, my second in command, holding rank as Beta of the Northridge pack, was something to behold. His powerful shoulders seemed to carry the waning gibbous, and the shadows that devoured the vast grounds of Battleridge manor granted him a wide berth.
He was a superior specimen. He was a male worthy of the ranking he'd been bestowed. But like all creatures, he wasn't born perfect, and his character flaw was a fault that bled out into the night like a severed artery: Concern.
It charged the air between us, a thick blanket that settled against the lungs like a boa-constrictor's loving embrace.
"What did you find?" I asked. The perverse silence that had entombed the dilapidated courtyard, screaming so loud it rang through my ears like a twisted lullaby, was shattered upon his approach. His boots smacked against the waterlogged ground, echoing in a way that spoke of his failures before he'd even opened his mouth. 
"Nothing,"
.......
"Until I can figure out what's going on, nobody finds out about the boy. Understand?"
"Understood."
"You're not going to ..." The pause that followed dragged out. "He's just a baby, Sterling."
"You're dismissed."

The Littlest Light

/"And mommy and daddy bed./" Then I could nuzzlie mommy an daddy and no be scared. Daddy give me changeies cuz I awll wet, but dat okay cuz daddy say Lou wear big boy pants 'morrow and show Burr how to no be a baby. Daddy was awll done when mommy comed in. He had a bottle in his hand.

/"Mommy,/" I called in delight. I liked that Nae make mommy and daddy comed. I super special. They just love Lou so much! I a rat and sunny-shine!

/"Oh, look at you! All clean and smiley! I missed your smile, Loulou. Is your hand feeling better now then?/"

Daddy had asked dat when making me no wet. I say, 'Awll better, daddy'. Now I haves to say, 'awll better, mommy'.

Mommy and daddy's bed was super squishy. It was a big room, but no fun. It no have slide or toys, or a housey to pway in! But it was warm and mommy and daddy both tuck me in, and daddy let me use his arm as a pillow and mommy let me wrap my feeties around his leg so I know that he no go away.

Chapter92