With that, the four of them joined the rest of the pack in an area of the village. They gathered in a solemn circle around them. Luna took a step forward, the weight of her words behind them.
"We fought the Void and tested us in ways we would never have imagined. Yet he…" Her voice broke as if she needed to collect herself. "Kael sacrificed his life to ensure our return. He was braver than any of us knew."
Jax's voice broke as he ended, his vulnerability on his sleeve, saying, "Kael wasn't just brave; he was selfless. He taught us that our strength is in each other. And I… I lost sight of that. But I'm not losing it again."
A tear slipped from Luna's eyes, and Alec wrapped his arm around her. "We carry him with us. And we will keep fighting for the bond he protected."
"Let's carry out his wish, for ourselves. He won't get us to die for nothing," said Kade, a sorrowful resolve in his voice.
A hush fell in the air as the pack members bowed their heads in silent remembrance of Kael.
As d
