The return party reached the Stonewind Pack border just as the morning sun crested over the pines, gilding the frost-tipped forest in gold. The patrols had been alerted to Rowan’s approach, and as soon as the scent markers shifted from neutral wildwood to Rowan’s territory, wolves broke through the trees in greeting—ears perked, tails high, relief written across every movement.
Rowan shifted first, catching Holly gently as he lowered her from Zephyrion’s back. She was drowsy, warm from the ride, her legs unsteady but her smile soft. The twins dismounted more awkwardly from Kaiden’s and Serena’s wolves, Mira grumbling something about wolf fur being “ridiculously itchy,” while Lila simply whispered a thank-you to Serena for the warmth.
“Welcome home, Alpha,” one of the warriors said as she
