Chapter 53: Uncle Asher

(Lyra's POV)

The early morning sun filtered through the trees as I watched Asher and Aiden from the porch of the pack house. They sat cross-legged in the grass, Asher's deep voice carrying on the breeze as he recounted ancient pack tales to my wide-eyed son.

"And that's why we always honor the full moon," Asher finished, his eyes twinkling with amusement at Aiden's awed expression.

"Wow," Aiden breathed. "Did you learn all this when you were my age, Uncle Asher?"

My heart clenched at the title. Uncle. It wasn't quite right, but it wasn't entirely wrong either. Asher's eyes met mine over Aiden's head, a mixture of joy and pain swirling in their blue depths.

"I did," Asher replied, ruffling Aiden's hair affectionately. "And now it's my job to pass these stories on to you."