**Lyra's point of view**

The change in our rooms was as small and big as the first green shoot coming up through the hard ground of winter. There were no longer unspoken accusations in the air. Instead, it had a tentative, fragile peace that gave people a chance to start rebuilding. Kael's apology and openness had changed everything. The Alpha had bowed his head, and in doing so, he had become a father again.

Kenny, who was aware of how his home life was changing, showed it. The cautious, ...