Chapter 39
Elowen POV
Stormclaw Keep Grand Dining Hall, Evening
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By the time we made it back from the forest, my muscles were jelly, my hair was a disaster, and my wolf was purring like she’d just been given a crown.
And honestly? Same. The whole Keep was still under lockdown, but Luna Aelira clearly decided that didn’t mean we couldn’t have a little joy. The dining hall had been completely transformed.
Golden lanterns floated near the ceiling, casting warm light over the long tables now draped in deep forest green and rich crimson fabric. Floral centerpieces ran down the middle, moon lilies, red roses, and wild herbs, and the scent of roasted meat, honey glazed root vegetables, and fresh bread filled the air so thick it made my stomach growl.
Taya froze in the doorway. She looked around the room, her mouth slightly open, her eyes glassy.
“This is for me?” she whispered. Aelira appeared from the side like a graceful shadow, placing a hand on Taya’s arm.
“It’s not what you were promised,” she said softly. “But it’s what we could give you. You deserve to be celebrated, Taya. Not just for turning eighteen, but for the woman you’ve become. Loyal. Fierce. Irreplaceable.”
Taya burst into tears. Not a dramatic breakdown, just silent, overwhelmed tears as she hugged the Luna tight and whispered, “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Aelira smiled and kissed the top of her head like a daughter. That broke me a little, ngl. Lyssira snorted in my head.
“Buck up buttercup.”
We all found seats around the long table. Daxon beside me, Rylen across from Taya, Jace already grabbing a roll like he hadn’t eaten in five years. Ash stood behind his chair for a long moment before sitting, his eyes scanning the room like he was locking every memory in place.
Alpha Draven gave a short, respectful nod before raising his glass. “To strength. To unity. And to the girl whose fire lights this table tonight.”
We all raised our glasses and clinked them over the center, Taya beamed.
Dinner was loud and full of teasing, mostly Jace, who kept trying to convince Ash to loosen up and ‘do shots like a real adult (which Ash ignored with spectacular elegance).
Halfway through dessert, the double doors opened again, and in rolled the biggest birthday cake I had ever seen. Three tiers. Iced in white and silver. Topped with glowing candles that flickered with real magic.
I swear Ash rolled his eyes, but even he smiled when Taya’s jaw dropped. Aelita leaned forward with a sly grin. “It’s
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Chapter 39
lemon cake with blackberry filling. Your favorite.”
:
Taya looked like she was going to combust. “I think I’m in love with the Luna,” she whispered.
Rylen grunted. “You’re not allowed to mate the Luna.”
“Don’t test me,” she grinned, wiping her eyes and blowing out the candles.
🙂))
37
Presents followed, enchanted daggers, a handwoven cloak from the Luna’s own seamstress, spell stones carved with Taya’s name, and a custom leather bound training log with her wolf Zuki hand painted on the cover.
She opened it and promptly ugly cried into her potatoes. We all laughed. And for the first time in what felt like forever… the room didn’t feel like a war room.
It felt like home. Daxon’s hand found mine under the table. Ash leaned in slightly and murmured, “Don’t get used to this. Training at dawn.”
“Bite me,” I muttered, smiling. Taya stood at the head of the table, her eyes still wet and her cheeks flushed.
“Okay,” she said. “I know everything’s a mess right now. The world’s on fire. Elowen’s out here rewriting ancient prophecy like it’s fanfiction. But this?” She looked around. “This is what I always dreamed pack life would feel like.”
“And for the record,” she added, raising her glass, “if anyone tries to take this from us, Aegis, the Council, or some crusty old blood purists, they’re gonna have to fight all of us.”
We howled in unison, loud, fierce, wild.
And this time, it wasn’t about pain or power.
It was about belonging.
Taya POV
The moment we stepped out of the dining hall, I felt it.
The air was electric. My skin tingled, my heart was racing, and Zuki…my wild, red furred chaos queen of a wolf…was pacing like a caged animal in my mind.
Thirty minutes to midnight. Thirty minutes until I turned eighteen. And thirty minutes until the universe decided whether or not Rylen Verric was my mate.
