Liana took one look at the chaos—the flour-dusted countertops, the plates of half-eaten pancakes, and Ryan with syrup smeared across his chin—and her lips curled ever so slightly in disdain. But then she composed her face.
"Well, good morning, sweetheart," Liana cooed, her voice saccharine sweet as she crouched slightly to be at eye level with the boy. "Did you enjoy your breakfast?"
Ryan beamed. "Daddy made pancakes! I helped!"
Liana's smile remained tight as she straightened, her eyes flicking to Damien and Annie. "Lovely. But I'm here to discuss something more important." She shifted her attention fully to Damien.
"Ryan needs to start school in the pack's academy. It's time he begins his training to become the next Alpha."
Annie's fork clattered against her plate, her nerves instantly spiking. She glanced at Damien, then back at Liana, swallowing hard. "I—uh, there's something you should know..."
