Finding Claude (Wintermoon Shorts #3)

by Tessa Stone

A lion shifter steps forward next, flanking his mate as they approach. He’s hard to miss—massive, intimidating, and radiating authority. His golden eyes lock directly with mine, unflinching. This is it. I can feel it in my gut—his vote will make or break us. He stands tall, his voice steady. “Before I make my judgment, I want to make something very clear.” His glare hardens as he narrows his eyes at me. “I am Meekah, Alpha of the Zohar Pride. Your clan destroyed everything I had during the war. Took my family from me. Broke me. It nearly ended me.” Claude’s grip on my hand tightens. “But then,” Meekah continues, glancing down at his mate, “I found my Amaya. She dragged me out of the darkness.” His voice softens for the briefest moment. “Your mate works with mine. Wintermoon Medical.” My throat tightens as I realize Amaya is standing beside him, holding his arm. “She taught me something I never believed in,” Meekah says, looking back at me. “Forgiveness. It’s not for you—it’s for me. I forgive you, Stormscale. Because forgiveness is the only way to move forward. I owe it to my mate. I owe it to my son—to teach him to be better. And I expect you to teach him something no one else can: the power of the stars. Teach him about Leo.” Meekah places his coin on the plate, choosing to tip the scale in our favor. Amaya follows, silent but sure, and the balance shifts—hope returns. He turns back toward me, but the sharpness in his voice returns. “But let me be perfectly clear: we wil...