The week passed in its usual blur of responsibilities. Council meetings with the pack elders. Training sessions with younger wolves. Coordinating with other supernatural groups on security measures.

And through it all, I kept thinking about Dr. Chen's words.

You just get better at carrying the weight.

I saw her around campus occasionally. In the counseling center. Walking between buildings. Once in the library, reading a thick book on supernatural psychology.

She always nodded when our ...