A shimmer in the air draws my attention back to Aurum. His massive form begins to shrink and change, fur giving way to skin, until Lucas stands before me in his human form.


    I don''t remember deciding to move, but suddenly I''m running towards him. We collide in a tangle of limbs, holding each other so tightly it''s hard to breathe. But I don''t care. He''s here, he''s back, and nothing else matters.


    "You''re back," I whisper into his chest, my voice thick with emotion. "God, Lucas, you''re really back."


    His arms tighten around me, and I feel his lips press against the top of my head. "Thanks to you," he murmurs. "You took care of everyone. Thank you, Ava."


    I pull back slightly, looking up into his face. His eyes are the same, filled with warmth and love, but there''s something else there now—a depth, a wildness that wasn''t there before. It''s breathtaking and a little terrifying.


    My gaze drifts back to the bodies laid out nearby, and a wave of guilt washes over me. "I couldn''t save them all," I say, my voice barely audible. "I tried, but I—"


    Lucas cuts me off, pulling me back into his embrace. "You did everything you could," he says firmly. "More than anyone could have expected. You protected our pack, Ava. You led them when I couldn''t."


    Kellan and Vester approach, also covered in blood, with a bleak look on their faces.


    I know they need to speak with him, to update him on everything that''s happened. And I have somewhere I need to be, too.


    This isn''t the time for our reunion.


    He''s Alpha.


    I''m Luna.


    We have jobs to do.


    "Go," I say softly, stepping back from Lucas''s embrace. "They need you. I should help with the wounded."


    Lucas nods, his eyes lingering on me for a moment before he turns to his beta and delta. As they begin to speak in low, urgent tones, I slip away, heading toward the hospital.


    The scene that greets me is one of organized chaos. Vanessa is at the center of it all, her entire body stained with blood and dirt. She moves from patient to patient with practiced efficiency, barking orders and administering treatment, even as she limps.


    I guarantee she hasn''t treated herself at all, running straight to her people instead.


    "You did amazing tonight, Ava," Vanessa says after a while.


    I turn to look at her, surprised by the compliment. "Me? Vanessa, I watched you work for hours. What you did to keep people alive... that''s what''s truly impressive."


    She lets out a small, tired laugh and rests her head against the wall. "There are going to be a lot of questions about your powers after tonight, you know."


    I nod, the reality of the situation sinking in. In the heat of battle, I hadn''t given a second thought to using my magic. Now, in the aftermath, I realize the implications. "I didn''t even think about it in the moment. It just happened."


    "You did the right thing," Vanessa says firmly. "Ava, thank you. You saved so many lives tonight. Without you, our wounded and dead toll would be much higher."


    I feel a flush creep up my neck at her words. "Lucas did most of the work," I mumble.


    Vanessa turns to face me, her expression a mix of exasperation and fondness. "Just take the credit that''s given to you, Ava. You still have to work on that self-esteem of yours."


    Chastised, I duck my head. "Sorry. You''re right. Thank you."


    She nods, seemingly satisfied, and we lapse back into silence. I glance at Vanessa, taking in the dark circles under her eyes, the blood staining her clothes. She''s given so much of herself tonight, as she always does.


    Is that how people are looking at me?


    Why even the receptionist''s eyes have changed when she sees me?


    Yes, Selene says, startling me with her mental presence out of nowhere. They are proud of you and grateful for what you did for them. You''ll see it yourself soon enough.


    "Why are you still sitting here?" Vanessa asks, her question distracting me from Selene''s words.


    "I''m too tired to even breathe."


    "Is that so?" She smiles at me and juts her chin toward the front door. "But your mate''s here for you."


    My heart flutters at her words, and I turn my head to see Lucas staring at me. He''s fully clothed now, and for the first time I realize his black hair is shockingly long, almost to his mid-back.


    It''s attractive as hell, but more importantly—it''s strange. Hair doesn''t grow that fast.


    Time is a strange thing, Grimoire says.