Dad turns and walks to the window, standing there quietly for a moment. "I told your mom I wanted to retire, and she agreed," he sighs. "I was a terrible alpha. I never should've listened to Elder Thompson. I felt powerless and weak. I was tough on you because I knew you could handle it."

I walk over to stand beside him, watching pack members heading home for dinner.

"You were never weak, Dad," I say. "But I need to know something." I turn to him, but he keeps ...