It was late morning when Azia left her mother's quarters the following day. She walked with purpose down the hallway, but Azia let her mind wander and review what her mother had said during their meeting. They had gotten together many times over the last several weeks, on Vivian's insistence. She wanted Azia as well prepared as possible to become Alpha.

Azia stared down at her boots as she walked, and smiled to herself. "You've come such a long way," her mother had told her ...