Page 224 of Moonlit Fate

“Thanks to both of you,” Mia said, her eyes shining with gratitude.

“It was a group effort,” I countered. “We all played our part.”

“True.” Ilaric nodded. “But the two of you led the way.”

“Speaking of leading,” Atticus said, looking around. “We should probably start organizing a pack run.”

“Right behind you,” Ilaric said, stepping forward.

“Wait,” Mia called. “Before we go back to work, let’s take a moment. Just... breathe.”

“Sounds perfect,” I replied.

I stood still, taking in the sight of my pack. They were talking, laughing, working to rebuild what had been broken. Their faces were bright with hope and strength. We’d all seen dark days, fought hard battles, but now we looked at each other not as survivors, but as family.

I rested my head on Atticus’s shoulder. “They’re amazing.”

He nodded, his blue eyes reflecting pride. “They are. We did this with each other.”

Around us, the ruins of the past were giving way to new structures. The pack moved like a well-oiled machine, each individual playing their part in the restoration. It was more than just rebuilding homes; it was about laying down the foundations for the future we all wanted.

The days that followed were busy, but full of a warmth that went beyond the heat of the sun. We shared meals, stories, and the kind of laughter that healed old wounds. Every morning greeted us with the promise of progress, every evening closed with the satisfaction of a day well spent.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Atticus asked one afternoon as we paused to watch the sunset paint the sky in hues of gold and crimson.

“It feels right,” I answered as the wind carried the sounds of contentment from our pack. We all had dreams, once whispered in secret, now spoken aloud with confidence.

The sun dipped lower, bringing the night. Atticus and I found ourselves at the edge of our territory, where the forest met the open plains.

“Tomorrow we start patrols again,” he said.

“Yeah,” I replied, squeezing his hand. “There will be more to face, more decisions. Challenges.”

We both knew it was true. The peace was fresh, fragile even. It wouldn’t take much to tip the scales back into frenzy. We were different now, stronger.

“Whatever comes,” Atticus began, his thumb rubbing the back of my hand, “we’ll handle it.”

His presence, that raw and commanding aura, made me believe it down to my bones. We had something no external force could break.

“Come on,” I finally said, tugging gently on his hand. “Let’s get back. They’ll wonder where we’ve wandered off to.”

“Lead the way, Alpha,” he replied with a wry grin.

“Only if you promise not to use that shadow trick to scare the pups again.”

“Scout’s honor,” he chuckled, but we both knew he never had been a scout.

We walked back toward the core of our territory. Our home awaited, vibrant and alive with the spirit of our united family. Whatever tomorrow brought, we would meet it head-on, as we always did.

EPILOGUE

ATTICUS

Istood there at the top of the hill, staring out at the view that stretched out forever. My hands, scarred and rough from battles long past, pushed the swing gently. Higher and higher it went, and each time it swung back toward me, the bubbling laughter of Elara and Caelan—my children—greeted my ears. Their small legs kicked out as if they could catch the sky itself.

“Higher, Daddy!” Elara squealed, her twin brother echoing the sentiment with an eager nod.

“All right, just a bit more.” I gave the swing another push, careful not to let it go too high. To them, it was just another game, another day, but not to me.

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