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

/"I'm so lost,/" Jonathan murmured.

I didn't reply. Clarke, who had been watching from the doorway, sidestepped as Axe came striding into the kitchen, glaring.

/"What did you do to him?/" he demanded as Ember, who was still sniffling, threw up arms.

/"Oomen say — /" Ember choked on another soft whimper. /"Say no Emmy speshul. Just Oomen. Say dat Star no loud to howld Emmy. Just Oomen./"

/"My kid is territorial,/" was my only excuse. /"If you were watching yours, it wouldn't have happened./"

/"I was cleaning up the breakfast that your kid rubbed into the carpet,/" Axe shot back.

/"Star be nice to Emmy,/" Ember whimpered, clinging to the lion's neck. /"Just Oomen nastee./"

Feeling very sorry for himself, Lumen had buried his head into Johno's neck. With a sigh, I waved at Jonathan to place him back on the side. It caused holy hell. The crying started up again, and Lou clung to his clothes, refusing to let go.

Chapter136