Chapter 8

  "Mama, why can't I go outside?!"

  Rowan tugged at my shirt as he looked up at me with all the sorrow his beautiful golden eyes could muster.

  I held back the urge to laugh. This was a serious matter and I couldn't let him think it was a joke.

  "Because I said so," I replied, folding a blanket from the laundry.

  "You always say that!" he huffed, crossing his arms as he jumped onto the mattress. "I’m not a baby, you know."

  I sighed, crouching down slightly to meet his eye level. "Darling, it’s not about treating you like a baby. It’s about keeping you safe. You don’t know what’s out there."

  His little face scrunched up. "Like what?"

  "Well, there's wolves who don’t know you and might think you’re a threat," I said softly, hoping he’d understand.

  "But the wolves are really cool. They even let me play with them! Mama, believe me…." He whined softly.