Chapter 41. Forged by Trial

Elizabeth POV

Noah and I sat on the back porch, our feet propped on the rail as we gazed out over the north garden. Ashley had just excused us—politely but decisively—so she could speak with Daniel in private. I still found it remarkable that Daniel had so readily relinquished me into Noah’s care. Strictly speaking, he hadn’t done it on his own; Ashley’s quiet authority and sagacity had soothed his alpha instincts and persuaded him. Even so, it was unusual for an alpha wolf to override his gut reaction simply because another wolf asked him to. But Ashley wasn’t just any wolf—she was someone extraordinary. Daniel had lost his mother when he was younger than I had been, and I suspected he, too, felt that same maternal bond with Ashley that I cherished.

I turned my gaze back to the snow-clad landscape. The fresh powder sparkled under the bright sun, each snowflake reflecting rays of light like countless tiny stars scattered across the ground. Ashley had been right—it was br