The battlefield lay quiet. Smoke curled toward the dawn, and the rogues were no more. The pack stood bruised but unbroken, staring at the two figures at its heart—Alpha and Beta, mates bound not by prophecy, but by choice.
Kieran’s arm was firm around Elias’s waist, holding him upright though Elias tried to wave him off. “I can stand,” Elias muttered, though his knees trembled.
“You’ve done more than stand,” Kieran said softly, his golden eyes fierce with pride. “You carried us all tonight.”
Around them, warriors bowed their heads—not in fear, but in respect. The young wolf who had once doubted Elias stepped forward, voice trembling. “Forgive me, Beta. I was wrong.”
Elias’s throat tightened. For so long, he had feared rejection. Now, the acceptance was almost harder to bear. He nodded,
