Valkira chose not to disrupt the training grounds any further. With measured steps, she quietly turned away, leaving the rhythmic clash of swords and the echo of determined wolves behind. Her path led straight to the Pack house, down to the heart of the operation—the Pack office, where her son spent much of his time overseeing the pack's affairs.
Even from her first glance, it was clear: Clinton's leadership was paying off. Everything ran smoothly, the pack well-ordered, loyalists attentive, and the air buzzing with disciplined energy. Yet Valkira knew there was still much she did not understand the pack's government, treasury, business alliances, and political dealings across the lore. She intended to learn it all, but first, she would share a precious moment with her son.
The office door opened, and there they were, as she had expected: Clinton Stratford, the Alpha she had raised and nurtured from a boy into a formidable leader; Axel, his Beta, son of the late Alex Donovan, a loyal man whose life had been brutally cut short in the infamous "secret meeting" that had taken her beloved Dramondred; and Nicholas Brentwood, playful and alert, the young Gamma whose parents, Laser and Sarah Brentwood, were still alive and thriving under the Moon Goddess' blessings.
At the sight of her, both Axel and Nicholas straightened immediately, respect and awe evident in their posture. "Welcome back, Shadow Luna," they said in unison, voices respectful, almost reverent.
Valkira's lips curved into a warm, genuine smile. She inclined her head slightly to both men, letting her presence convey approval and acknowledgment.
Clinton, however, broke from his place behind the desk, closing the distance between them in a few purposeful strides. He leaned forward, planting a gentle kiss on each of her cheeks. "Mum… you're here. I thought you would be resting," he said, voice layered with relief, joy, and the subtle weight of reverence.
Valkira's eyes softened at the sight of him. "I needed to see how my son has been running things," she replied, a small, affectionate smile tugging at her lips. "And I also wanted… a little time with you, just us, before the world calls for everything else."
With that, Axel and Nicholas excused themselves politely, leaving mother and son alone. Valkira's gaze lingered on Clinton, noting how he had grown—not just in size and strength, but in presence, authority, and wisdom. Every careful step he had taken to lead the pack now radiated from him, and she allowed herself a moment of pride.
"Good," she said softly, her tone both warm and commanding. "Let's speak, Clin. There's much I wish to understand… and even more for me to know."
In the quiet of the office, the bond between mother and son reasserted itself, a blend of familial warmth, unspoken pride, and the subtle threads of power that would shape destinies and the future of the Blood Shadow Pack.