When I picked Jared up from school that afternoon, his excitement spilled into the air before we even reached the gate. His scent was bright, warm happy in that way only a pup could be. That was when his teacher stopped me and handed over the details for Family Day, scheduled for Friday.
Family Day.
In pack terms, it was a bonding ritual dressed up as a school event. Teams of two. Parent and child. Meant to show unity, stability, belonging.
"Miss Tillman," the teacher said kindly, "Jared mentioned that his father will be attending Family Day with him. We'll need his father's height and weight so we can prepare the family shirts. The outfits are made according to each family team."
For a split second, my instincts betrayed me.
A tall figure surfaced in my mind broad shoulders, commanding presence, an Alpha's calm dominance that filled any room he entered. I frowned inwardly and quickly pushed the image away.
"Do they have to be matching?" I asked, already bracing myself.
