The succeeding days after the full moon were purposeful.
Silverpine was not merely rebuilding — it was changing.
Mia traversed the pack lands with a new sense of awareness. Every bend in the territory was filled with memories of who she once was: the trail alongside the training grounds where she used to observe as others fought; the clearing where she was spurned, rejected; the cliff where she considered forsaking the pack forever.
Now, wherever she stepped, she was met by nods, smiles, and respect.
Not by any demands of hers.
She'd worked for it.
The Omega Defense Circle was three times larger. Wolves of every rank were training together now—laughing in the clearing where grunts and silence used to reign. There were even some of the elders present, standing back in silence, not quite agreeing—but no longer disapproving.
It was more than she could've ever imagined.
Yet, it was precisely right.
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One morning, Lucas spotted her at the eastern edge, observing two young wolves fight under Cade's guidance. The sun rose, casting a golden glow through the trees, filtering her in gentle light.
"You've moved faster than I ever would've," he said, coming up beside her.
Mia did not avert her eyes from the sparring. "Because I never attempted to lead. I simply. stood up."
"Sometimes, though, that's what leadership looks like," Lucas smiled.
The two of them just stood in silence.
Then he said, "Do you ever miss the calm?"
She blinked up at him, laughing. "Are you inquiring if I miss being invisible?"
He laughed. "I meant the peace."
Mia pondered this. "I used to believe peace was silence. Now I believe it's knowing who you are—and not being afraid to let everyone else know, either."
The tension in his eyes relaxed, and his expression softened.
"I am this version," she declared, said firmly. "I've always been." "I'll always was".
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Later in the afternoon, a scout came back from the southern pass with a surprising report: two Blackridge remnants wolves had arrived, unharmed, in a petitioning mood.
The reception was made by Lucas and Mia, accompanied by Cade and Ember.
The two lean, youthful-looking wolves seemed more tired than menacing. They bowed respectfully. "We wish to abandon the past," the tallest of the two said. "We went along with Viktor because he offered us power. However, it was at the cost of blood and shame."
His tone was even. "Now?"
"We are looking for sanctuary," said the second softly. "We wish to gain a position. Battle for one, if we must."
The room was quiet.
Then Mia spoke up. "You'll fight," she said. "Not for territory, though. For unity. For balance. For the type of pack your children should live in."
The two wolves shared a look—then nodded.
Mia turned around towards Lucas, who nodded in agreement.
"They'll be in the south barracks," he instructed Cade. "Begin with basic training. And assign someone to them."
As they took the newcomers away, Ember leaned in towards Mia. "You just gave a second chance to the ones who attempted to kill us."
"I offered them a choice," said Mia. "The one no one ever offered me."
Mia went back to the Moonstone Tree that evening when her heart was both filled up and burdened. She sat at its base, knees hugged up tight, as she gazed at the stars twinkling into being.
She was there, as usual.
He sat next to her, his hand brushing gently against hers. "You appear as though carrying the weight of the world once more,"
"I'm holding possibility," she breathed. "Do you understand how weird that is?"
He turned to her. "Strange?"
"Wonderful," she said
He drew close, kissing her—slow, intent, grounding.
They sat there for a long time, the only noise between them was that of the wind in the branches, and the gentle sound of their breath.
The forest was no longer a cage.
I felt at home.