Chapter 134

Dante stood by my side, his injuries fresh and raw, his silence carrying the weight of every choice, every sacrifice he had made. I reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder, a simple gesture of gratitude, of understanding. When he looked back at me, exhaustion softened by a faint smile, I saw in his eyes a reflection of the journey we had shared. He had stood by us, his loyalty unshaken, even in the darkest moments.

As the wolves gathered around, I took a steadying breath and stepped forward, preparing to address them. Every gaze turned to me, expectant, hopeful, and I felt my voice steady, filled with the pride and strength each wolf in our pack had shown.

“Today,” I began, my voice carrying over the clearing, “we stand as one. We have faced the darkness and come through it, stronger than ever. Silas sought to break us, to divide us, but he failed. Together, we proved that no force can destroy what we have built.”

A quiet murmur of agreement swept through the pack, and I could see the pride, the relief in every face. Each wolf bore the scars of battle, but they also wore the resilience, the unity that had held us together through every trial.

“Each of you fought with courage beyond strength,” I continued, my gaze moving over the wolves from Talon, Ashfire, and Cedar Hollow alike.

“You fought not only for survival but for each other, for the family we have become. You have honored those we lost, those who gave everything beside us. Today, we celebrate their bravery, their sacrifice.”

I let my gaze linger for a moment on the makeshift memorial we had created for the fallen—a collection of stones, each one representing a life that had been given in the name of protecting this pack. I thought of Lyle, his fearless spirit, his quiet strength. His memory, like the memories of all our lost kin, settled over us like a solemn fire, binding us to a promise of remembrance and honor.