<i>Zephyrine </i>


    31%


    * Finished


    It waste at night when I arrived at the memorial hall to retrieve my parents‘ ashes, apanied by Blue, Dessyn, and Moon. I had already bid farewell to Nathan, Dessyn’s father, and Alpha Auedric half an hour.


    ago.


    This was where our paths diverged, for the other road led to Ash Pack. I stepped out of the memorial hall, clutching the vessel tightly, and carefully set it down in my carriage.


    With a heavy heart, I turned back to Dessyn. She fought hard to hold back her tears, and I understood why. This was the first step toward finding her beloved, my brother. Gently, I took her hand and gazed into her


    eyes.


    “I will be back before the full moon. Until then, you must be safe and be strong.”


    She nodded, swallowing hard.<fnf65b> Find the newest release on Find_Novel(.</fnf65b>


    “You’ll send a letter, won’t you?”


    I didn’t respond. Instead, I pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back gently. Stepping back, I turned to Moon, but before I could speak, he pulled me into a tight embrace.


    “Take care of yourself, Zephyr,” he said, his voice desperate. I held him tighter, letting the warmth of his presence linger before he finally released me. I sighed softly, turning toward the carriage. Blue lifted my dress carefully, making mefortable as I settled in.


    “Be safe,” Dessyn whispered again, bidding farewell to Blue before taking her ce beside me. A Lycan apanying me to Ash Pack.


    The carriage moved swiftly, and I tried to still my emotions, focusing on the path ahead. But as the memorial hall faded behind us, a growing ache filled my chest, unbearable and sharp.


    The warmth I had carried all this time felt reced by something bitter, an emptiness that pressed against my ribs.


    “Stop the carriage,” Imanded suddenly, and it was obeyed immediately.


    I stepped down, eyes scanning the darkness ahead. And then I saw him.


    Lycannar.


    He stood at a distance, his silhouette unmistakable. My breath hitched, my heart bleeding with longing. I had expected him to ride forward, to call me back, but it was as if he hade only to witness my departure. No final goodbye. The one we had was already heavy enough.


    Before my eyes, he turned his horse and galloped into the night, and my chest tightened as though he had taken my joy, my warmth, and all the parts of me that made me who I was.


    I realized then I was no longer the same girl who had left Ash Pack five years ago. I had changed, grown, be more.


    31%


    Finished


    I had believed leaving my pack was futile, but I was wrong. I had lost Nyroth, yes, but I had found someone worth it. A king. A true lover.


    *******


    The sound of Ash Pack’s massive gates opening woke Blue. She had leaned over my shoulder and dozed off, but under the bright morning sun, she opened her eyes to witness greatness before her.


    The gates swung wide, and our carriage rode in, passing the longne, the sacred fountain, and finally stopping before the massive, jaw–dropping building of Ashmere.


    Word of my return had spread before I arrived, and I could feel it in the air. Preparations had been made.


    I carried the moonstone vessels with care. Jurrek Bane was the first to step forward, extending his palm for me to take as I alighted, standing before warriors, survivors of battles who had endured and prevailed.


    All heads bowed, including my aunty’s and Jurrek Bane’s, the great Beta of Ash Pack. Goosebumps prickled my skin as the breeze, the looks, and the respect all felt different. I had been gone for five years, and seeing Ash Pack thriving warmed my heart.


    I turned toward the building and headed inside. The hallways stretched endlessly, the walls imprable, torches burning along the walls, guards kneeling as I passed.


    I took a familiar turn and entered the memorial hall, where the ashes of our greatest warriors rested before their funerals. With my heart thudding, I ced my parents‘ moonstone vessels in their rightful ce.


    For a long while, I knelt there, letting the emotions surge. Then I rose and walked out, passing through the hall in silence. When I reached my quarters, I paused to swallow. The threshold no man could cross uninvited.


    “A dinner will be set for you, mydy. We are celebrating your return, and the elders request a word,” Jurrek said, bowing deeply.


    I nodded.


    “You and I also will have words. Only you and I,” I replied, and I saw him swallow, understanding my meaning.


    “Yes, mydy,” he said, bowing again. I turned away and entered my chamber. The vast, familiar space of the only daughter of a warlord.


    My parents had pampered me, given me everything. Varyn had done the same. Their training had been harsh but wise, and I had excelled at every challenge.


    Now I stood in the same chamber where I had grown up, and memories flowed back unbidden.


    “Mdy,” Isolde, head of my maids and courtdies, came forward to bow. “I can’t believe you’re back.”


    I let my gaze linger on her for a moment, then turned to the other maids, who stood silently, waiting for mymand.


    The warning my brother had given came back sharply. No one could be trusted. He had been betrayed on the battlefield, cornered with no chance to retreat. Even retreat was unthinkable for an Ashmere.


    31%


    Finished


    I would not trust blindly. I would discern friend from foe. And I would reim my ce, as the daughter of Ashmere, and as a queen in my own right.


    <b>Send </b><b>Gifts </b>