Later that night, Rayne Valen stood alone at her father’s old study, untouched since his death.
Dust covered the crest on the wall. She ran her fingers across it, and whispered, “I’m home, Father. I knew you never wanted me to return, but I can't watch your legacy burn down to ashes. And now I have become what you thought I would never be. An Alpha of Valen pack.”
Behind her, Garran stepped in.
“They’re waiting for your speech,” he said gently.
Rayne nodded. “They will wait a little longer.”
He looked at her with pride. “They thought you were dead. That you’d forgotten this place.”
“I never forgot,” she said. “I just had to become strong enough to return.”
As she walked out to address the pack… ravens flew overhead.
A message had been sent to all neighbouring territories on the cha
