Chapter 26
The snowball fight ended with Kael losing.
Spectacularly.
Which shocked absolutely everyone.
Especially Kael.
Three children declared victory loudly.
One little girl climbed onto his back and announced she had defeated the Alpha.
Kael accepted this with alarming seriousness.
I stood nearby laughing while snow melted into my gloves.
And then—
suddenly—
I stopped.
Not because something happened.
Because I realized I was happy.
Not fixed.
Not healed.
Not certain.
Just…
happy.
For a moment.
The realization hit strangely.
Because somewhere in all the chaos—
I had forgotten happiness could feel quiet.
No overwhelming emotion.
No dramatic revelation.
Just cold air.
Laughter.
Kael pretending he wasn’t being defeated by children.
Kael glanced toward me.
And i
