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 actually so excited for this,/" I whispered as we stood at the foot of our bed, overlooking the snuggling brown bear that had starfished in the centre. Tiny, delicate little snores parted the bear's lips, and his foot twitched as he slept. /"Do you think we should wait and let him sleep some longer, though? I think this is the best night's sleep he's had for a while./"

A snort was offered up in answer, quickly followed by a 'nope.'

/"He seems too peaceful to disturb, Star,/" I said, eyes flicking to my mate. He was watching our son with what I could have only described as fondness; tender was my beast when it came to our son.

Chapter140