Chapter 138

The laughter of the pups echoed softly from the play area—high, bright bursts of joy that drifted across the courtyard like tiny fireworks, rising and falling with every breath of the evening wind. Lantern light swayed above them, scattered across the stone paths like warm stars pulled down from the heavens just for this night. Kellan’s excited chatter mixed with Jace’s shy giggles, grounding the