t seemed unnaturally still in the wake of the chaos. Kael stood at the center of the clearing, his breath ragged, his fur matted with blood-so

battle was over, the war between the packs had only just begun. Kael knew it wasn't over. It wouldn't be over until the Earthclaws had either b

ning to the same pe

his world of blood and violence. But another part of him-something raw and undeniable-was grateful for her presence. She had refused to run. Even when danger had been at its peak, when his wo

ding a few paces away, her eyes wide, her expression unreadabl

-something that made him uneasy. It was as though she saw him differently now

so much of his focus. He hadn't given himself the space to think about anything else. But

ill aching from the fight. His muscles screamed for rest, but his mind was far too

ael said, his voice ho

t, her eyes searching his face as if trying to read something there. Ka

ly responded, her voice steady, though

this? He'd spent his entire life following the laws of the pack-loyalty, duty, survival. But Elara was something else. She didn't fit into the rigid line

The victory was bittersweet, and everyone knew it. They had defeated the Earthclaws, but they had lost

lled than he felt. He turned toward the trees, his eyes scanning the clearing one las

aid, her voice low. "What happens now, Kael

n't asking about the Earthclaws, about the pack. She was asking about them. About him

wl. He hated that he didn't have an answer for her. H

took a step closer to him, her presence as constant as ever. "But I know one thin

or them. The pack came first, always. He had spent years training to be its leader. To be the one who prote

And he couldn't se

is isn't a world you can survive in without consequences. The pack comes first, always

ck is important to you, Kael. But that doesn't mean I'm going anywhere.

ismissed, some weak human to be sheltered away from danger. No. She was strong, fierce in her own rig

thought of her leaving him. Not when she had become such a constant in his life, not when her

tasting bitter on his tongue. "You've seen

owly. "And I'm not asking for you to make that decisi

ing in his chest, the words of his pack echoing in his mind, reminding him of the rules. The law of the pack wa

r his thoughts, trying to push away the storm of emotions that raged inside him. But h

understand this, Elara. This life-it's not a choice. It's

ed softly. "And I'm

ched. There was n