I’d been so busy with life, I hadn’t noticed how much he’d grown. Not just in size, but in manner and attitude. Luke used to be a mouthy teen, but seeing him on Bruce, taking him through his gaits, I realized Luke was turning into a damned fine horse trainer. At least I’d be leaving the stable in good hands. Aren could handle the business end with the feed company and the other owners in the barn. Everything would run smoothly after I was gone. It stung a little to realize the world would still turn without me here. I’d been raised knowing the mantle of leadership would be mine someday. I would succeed my father as Alpha of the Pack. Giving it up wasn’t something I ever saw coming. Then I saw Lana’s dark eyes in my mind, and my heart warmed. She was worth the sacrifice. Jason drove up to the barn, and I walked over to great him. We clasped forearms in the traditional Pack greeting. “Thanks for coming by, Jason.”
