An Almost-Smile and a New Beginning

ROMAN

I stood before the Moonstone packhouse, my heart hammering in my chest. In my sweaty hands, I clutched a small bouquet of wildflowers—ones I'd personally picked from the meadow behind my cabin. Not store-bought. Not arranged by a florist. Just honest flowers that reminded me of her.

I took a deep breath. This wasn't an Alpha visiting another pack's territory. This was just me—a father picking up his son, a man trying to earn back trust.

The front door opened before I could knock. There she stood—Vanessa. Her auburn hair caught the afternoon sun, turning it to liquid fire. Those gray-blue eyes regarded me with caution.

"You're early," she said.

I cleared my throat. "I wanted to give us time to talk before Fabian gets back from school."

Her gaze dropped to the flowers in my hand. I'd been clutching them so tightly, I'd probably crushed half the stems.

"These are for you," I said, holding them out like an offering. "From the meadow where we used to meet."