Page 428 of Fated to the Wolf Prince
“Trust me, I’ll make sure he doesn’t,” I replied, trying to sound far more confident than I was.
We shared a look of understanding, a camaraderie forged in the fires we’d faced together. It wasn’t enough to erase all the trauma, but it was a start. Our conversation trailed off, and we sat in silence for a while, each lost in our thoughts. I tried to focus on the antiseptic scent in the air to ground myself in the present moment. Sabrina tapped her fingers against her cast, creating a soft rhythm that almost drowned out the beeping of the machines around us.
We were survivors, and no matter what happened next, I knew we’d face it together. But as I stared at the sterile white walls of the hospital room, I wondered where Liam was, when he’d return, and what our lives would look like now that this nightmare was finally over.
The door creaked open, and Ty entered the room with a soft smile on his face. “Ready to get out of here?” he asked, his voice soothing like warm honey.
“More than ready,” Sabrina replied, her eyes brightening at the prospect of leaving the hospital. I shared her sentiment. The sterile walls were starting to close in on me.
A nurse followed Ty inside, wheeling in a chair for me. “Hospital policy,” she explained when my eyes narrowed at the wheelchair. “Just until you’re safely in the car.”
“Fine,” I said, and eased myself into the seat. My body still ached from the battle with Castro, but I was eager to put it all behind me.
Ty and Sabrina helped me adjust, their hands gentle and caring. The scent of lavender drifted from Sabrina’s hair, mingling with Ty’s earthy aroma. It reminded me of home.
We made our way through the maze of hallways, the steady hum of fluorescent lights above us punctuated by the occasional beeping of a monitor or murmured conversation between medical staff.
Once outside, the crisp autumn air nipped at my cheeks—a stark contrast to the stale atmosphere of the hospital. I breathed it in deeply, letting it fill my lungs and chase away the lingering unease. Leaves rustled in the wind, their colors a vibrant tapestry of reds, oranges, and yellows. The world felt alive, and so did I.
Ty helped me into the car, making sure I was comfortable before sliding into the driver’s seat. Sabrina chatted excitedlyabout her plans once she was fully healed. Listening to her, I couldn’t help but find some hope of my own.
Ty pulled us away from the hospital, and we drove in companionable silence for a while, but as we neared Sabrina’s house, I couldn’t contain my curiosity any longer.
“Ty,” I said. “I need to see Castro’s body.”
He hesitated, his grip on the steering wheel tightening. “Are you sure? It’s not a pretty sight.”
“Please,” I pressed. “We thought we’d killed him once, and I have to know for certain. I need closure.”
“All right.” He relented with a sigh, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror. “But give me some time to make arrangements. We’ll take Sabrina home first.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
As much as I wanted to forget about Castro and move on, I couldn’t until I faced the reality of his death. The truth, no matter how gruesome, would finally set me free.
Twenty minutes later, I stood near the edge of a clearing in the woods. A huge funeral pyre had been constructed for Castro and his dead wolves, their bodies piled high with dry branches and leaves. Ty’s pack members moved about, making final preparations for the grim ritual.
“Are you ready?” Ty asked softly, standing beside me, his lips in a tight line.
I nodded, swallowing tightly. “Yes.”
My heart pounded as I stared at Castro’s lifeless body atop the mound. I’d been sure I’d killed him, but after his last stunt, I wasn’t taking any chances. As morbid as it seemed, I wouldn’t feel real peace until I witnessed him turn to ash.
“Goodbye, Castro,” I whispered, clenching my fists at my sides. “You’ll never hurt anyone again.”
Somebody lit the pyre beneath the bodies, and I waited until the fire roared, its heat growing more intense by the second. Myskin tightened and prickled as the flames flared, reducing the bodies to ashes and smoke. The air grew thick with the acrid stench of burning flesh, and I covered my mouth and nose with my hand.
“Let’s step back,” Ty suggested, his voice barely audible over the crackling blaze. He gently took my arm, guiding me away from the inferno.
As we retreated, I thought of how different life would be now that Castro was gone. My past, once shrouded in darkness, was finally coming into the light. And though the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, I knew I could face it with the love and support of my newfound family.
“Your nightmare is over,” Ty said softly, his eyes filled with understanding. “You’re free now.”
Relief washed over me, so powerful it left me weak in the knees. Tears leaked from the corners of my eyes as the reality of those words sank in. My nightmare was indeed over, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, I was truly free.
“Thank you,” I whispered, leaning into him for support as we watched the flames reach their peak. “For everything.”
He wrapped a protective arm around me, pulling me close. “You’re welcome. Now let’s go home.”
