The gates of Crescent Moon territory opened with a groan of ancient iron and stone.
Ivy stood at the entrance, the breeze tugging at the edges of her cloak as the familiar scent of pine and frost-wolf territory settled deep into her lungs. But this time, she didn’t feel like the outsider. She didn’t feel like the fragile girl who once begged for a place here.
She felt like fire. And shadow. And power.
Beside her, Ember walked in quiet awe, scanning the territory with curious eyes. She had grown bolder these past few weeks—her flameborn gifts blooming fast—but she still looked to Ivy for direction.
"Feels different," Ember murmured.
Ivy nodded. “It should.”
Kael was waiting at the steps.
He didn’t smile. Didn’t say a word. But the moment their eyes met, something unspoken passed betw
