Three Years Later…
"Kai, it's time to settle down with someone."
Kai looked up from the papers on his lap. His mother stood in front of him, arms fisted at her waist, wearing that particular expression she reserved for conversations he had no interest in having.
A few years ago, it would have worked on him. Now, it barely registered. He was back in Crescent Moon after three years of being away, three years of deliberately cutting contact with almost everyone, and that part of him that used to care what people thought of him had not come back with him.
It had been Tan's email that finally did it. Three lines about rogues pushing at the pack's borders had finally drawn him home. The place still meant something to him. That did not mean he was ready to play the part they wanted.
He let out a long breath. "Ah. This again."
"Yes, this again," Angelica said, as if the matter were settled. She folded her arms across her chest. "You're almost thirty."
