Lara's POV
Since Percy and Henderson plan to return home after making their announcement, we take two vehicles to Dion's former territory. I suppose it belongs to us now, or will by the time we head back to our original pack lands tonight.
"How are you handling all of this, Lara?" Joseph's voice breaks through my thoughts. He and Austin occupy the front seats while I chose the back. Sitting behind Joseph, our eyes meet in the rearview mirror when I glance up.
Austin twists around to face me, his warm hand settling on my knee in that comforting way that always steadies me.
"There's simply too much to manage," I admit, my voice carrying the weight of everything pressing down on me. "It felt overwhelming before, but now with another pack, expanded territories, additional patrol routes..." My words trail off as the magnitude of responsibilities threatens to crush me.
