Chapter 26: Healing Together

The Council moved quickly. Within a week, Garrett was formally charged with attempted murder, abuse of pack members, and the death of the previous investigator. The evidence was overwhelming. The recordings, witness testimony, and years of documented cruelty.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment. His pack was placed under temporary Council oversight while they searched for new leadership.

Thomas was offered the Alpha position. He declined.

“I’m not ready. Maybe someday, but not now.” He looked at me with gratitude. “But I want to help choose who leads us. Make sure it’s someone good. Someone fair.”

The Council agreed. For the first time, pack members would have a voice in selecting their Alpha. It was a small step toward the kind of system my parents had envisioned.

During the weeks of hearings and transitions, Kaden stayed. Not pushing. Not demanding anything. Just present. Helping where he could. Proving through actions that he meant what he’d said.

One evening, after a particularly long day of testimony, I found him sitting alone outside my temporary quarters.

“You don’t have to keep watching over me,” I said, sitting beside him. “Garrett is locked up. The danger is over.”

“I know. I just like being near you. Even if we’re not talking. Even if you’re busy.” He looked at me with such open affection. “Is that strange?”

“A little. But also sweet.” I leaned my head on his shoulder. The gesture felt natural. Right. “Kaden, we need to talk about what happens next. About us.”

“Okay.” He tensed slightly, preparing for potential rejection.

“I meant what I said about trying. About giving us another chance. But it has to be different this time.” I sat up to look at him properly. “No more secrets. No more hiding. If we do this, we do it openly.”

“I agree. No more hiding.”

“And slow. We take things slow. Rebuild trust gradually.” I touched the pendant my mother had left me. “I’m not the same girl you knew. You’re not the same boy. We need to get to know who we are now.”

“I’ll go as slow as you need. Years if that’s what it takes.” He took my hand carefully. “What about the mate bond? It’s still there. Damaged but present. Do you want to try healing it?”

The bond was complicated. It had been partially severed by the rejection. Partially restored when I’d healed him after battles. But it was fragile. Incomplete.

“Eventually, yes. But not yet. The bond can wait until we’ve rebuilt our foundation.” I squeezed his hand. “Right now, I want to date you. Like normal wolves do. Learn about each other. See if we actually work together outside of mate bond chemistry.”

Kaden smiled, genuine and warm. “I’d like that. A lot. Can I take you to dinner tomorrow? A real date. Somewhere nice.”

“Yes. But somewhere quiet. I’m tired of crowds and politics.”

“I know the perfect place.”

The next evening, Kaden picked me up in his truck. He’d cleaned it, which was sweet. Maya and Dax gave him approving looks as I left.

“Have her back by midnight,” Dax joked, playing the protective father.

“Or what? You’ll challenge me?” Kaden grinned.

“I’ll let Maya challenge you. That’s scarier.”

We drove for an hour into the mountains. To a small restaurant I’d never noticed before. Family-owned. Quiet. The kind of place locals knew about but tourists never found.

“How did you find this?” I asked as we sat at a corner table.

“I’ve been exploring. Trying to find places that might make you happy.” He looked almost shy. “Is it okay?”

“It’s perfect.”

Dinner was easy. Comfortable. We talked about everything. Pack management challenges. Funny stories from our territories. Dreams for the future. Nothing heavy or painful. Just two people getting to know each other.

“I forgot how much I like talking to you,” Kaden said over dessert. “We used to spend hours just talking about everything and nothing.”

“We were good at that. Before everything got complicated.” I tasted the chocolate cake he’d ordered to share. “What made you change, Kaden? Really change, I mean. Not just regret but actual fundamental change.”

He was quiet, thinking. “Losing you. Not the rejection itself, but watching you walk away. Realising that you were strong enough to choose yourself over me. That you valued yourself enough to leave.”

“That made you change?”

“It made me see what strength actually looks like. My whole life, my father taught me that strength was dominance. Control. Never showing weakness. But you showed me that real strength is vulnerability. Choosing what’s right even when it costs you everything.” He met my eyes. “You were stronger walking away than I was rejecting you. That truth destroyed me. And from those ruins, I had to rebuild into someone better.”

“That’s beautiful. And painful.”

“Growth usually is.” He reached across the table, asking permission with his eyes before taking my hand. “I’m still working on it. Still unlearning bad habits. Still discovering who I am without my father’s voice in my head. But I’m trying.”

“I can see that. And I’m proud of you.”

The words clearly meant a lot to him. His eyes got misty. “Thank you. That means everything.”

We drove back slowly, neither of us wanting the evening to end. At my door, there was an awkward moment. The kind first dates have. Do we kiss? Hug? Shake hands?

“I had a really good time,” I said.

“Me too. Can we do it again? Soon?”

“Yes. I’d like that.”

Kaden leaned in slowly, giving me every chance to pull away. When I didn’t, he kissed me. Soft. Gentle. Nothing demanding or possessive. Just sweet.

“Goodnight, Aria.”

“Goodnight, Kaden.”

I floated into my quarters, feeling lighter than I had in months.

Maya was waiting up. “So? How was it?”

“Really good. He was thoughtful. Sweet. No pressure. Just nice.” I sat beside her on the couch. “I think we can actually do this. Build something real.”

“I’m happy for you. You deserve happiness.” She nudged me. “Just take it slow. Protect your heart.”

“I will. I promise.”

Over the next few weeks, Kaden and I fell into a pattern. Dates every few days. Phone calls in between. Getting to know each other again. It was like being teenagers, except with more maturity and self-awareness.

He met my pack officially. Not as the Alpha who’d rejected me, but as the man I was dating. My wolves were cautious but polite. Dax grilled him about his intentions. Sarah asked pointed questions about his pack management philosophy. Young Emma watched him suspiciously, protective of me.

Kaden handled it all with grace. Answered honestly. Didn’t get defensive. By the end of the evening, most of my pack seemed cautiously accepting.

“Your wolves are protective,” he observed as we walked afterwards. “It’s nice. Shows how much they care about you.”

“They’re family. More than Shadowpine ever was.”

“I want to make Shadowpine feel that way. Like family instead of just a pack.” He looked thoughtful. “I’ve been implementing changes. Based on your parents’ vision. Fair treatment for all ranks. Omegas having a voice. It’s slow, but progress is happening.”

“That’s wonderful.”

“I wish I could show you. Let you see what I’m building.” He hesitated. “Would you visit Shadowpine? See the changes for yourself?”

The invitation made me nervous. Going back to that place held so many bad memories.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”

“That’s fair. No pressure. Just know the invitation is open. Whenever you feel comfortable.”

A few days later, Elder Thorne called with news. “The Council wants to recognise your work. All three investigations concluded successfully. Three abusive Alphas removed. Dozens of wolves are protected. You’ve done remarkable work, Aria.”

“Thank you. But I had a lot of help.”

“Nevertheless, your efforts deserve recognition. We’re hosting a ceremony next month. To honour investigators and reformers. Your parents will be posthumously honoured as well. For their vision and sacrifice.”

My breath caught. “My parents? Really?”

“It’s overdue. They tried to change the system and died for it. The least we can do is acknowledge their contribution.” He paused. “Will you accept the honour on their behalf?”

“Yes. Absolutely. Thank you, Elder Thorne.”

After hanging up, I sat in silence. Processing. My parents would finally get recognition. Their vision would be acknowledged. It wasn’t justice for their murder, but it was something.

I called Kaden immediately. “My parents are being honoured by the Council. Next month.”

“Aria, that’s incredible. They deserve that recognition.” His voice was warm. “Can I come? To support you?”

“You want to come to a ceremony honouring the people my father helped kill?”

“I want to come to a ceremony honouring the people who should have changed the world. Who would have, if they’d lived. Whose vision I’m trying to fulfil now.” He was quiet for a moment. “And I want to support you. If you’ll let me.”

“Yes. I’d like you there.”

The month passed quickly. My pack helped me prepare. Choose a dress. Practiced my speech. Reminded me to breathe when anxiety got too high.

The ceremony was formal. Held at Council headquarters. Alphas from across the continent attended. I wore a silver dress that matched my wolf form. Kaden wore a suit and looked uncomfortably handsome.

When they called my parents names, I walked to the stage. Accepted awards on their behalf. Listened to Elder Marcus speak about their vision and sacrifice.

“Marius and Celeste Silvermoon dreamed of a world where pack law protected all wolves, not just the powerful. Where justice mattered more than strength. Where compassion was valued alongside courage.” His voice carried through the hall. “They died before realising that dream. But their daughter carries it forward. Aria Silvermoon embodies everything they hoped for. A leader who fights for the vulnerable. Who stands against tyranny? Who proves that their vision lives on.”

The applause was overwhelming. I stood there, holding awards meant for my parents, crying openly.

Kaden was in the front row. Pride and love were written all over his face.

After the ceremony, people congratulated me. Other Alphas. Council members. Wolves who’d known my parents.

One older female Alpha approached. “Your mother was my friend. I was there when you were born. You look so much like her.”

“Really?” I grabbed her hand. “Please, tell me about her. About them both.”

She talked for almost an hour. About my parents’ personalities. Their love story. Their dreams. Things I’d never known because they died when I was too young to remember.

“They would be so proud of you,” she said finally. “Celeste always said she hoped her daughter would be strong and kind. You’re both.”

That night, Kaden and I walked through the gardens behind Council headquarters. Just talking. Processing the day.

“Thank you for being here,” I said. “It meant a lot.”

“Thank you for letting me be here. For trusting me with something so important.” He stopped walking, turning to face me. “Aria, I know we’re taking things slow. And I respect that. But I need you to know something.”

“What?”

“I’m falling in love with you all over again. This version of you. The Alpha you’ve become. The woman who fights for what’s right.” He touched my face gently. “Actually, I don’t think I ever stopped loving you. But this feels different. Deeper. Based on who we really are instead of who we pretended to be.”

My heart raced. “Kaden…”

“You don’t have to say it back. I just needed you to know. That this isn’t just guilt or nostalgia. It’s real. You’re real. And I’m committed to us. To build something that honours both of us.”

I kissed him. Not gentle this time. Deep and passionate and full of all the feelings I’d been holding back.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing hard, I whispered, “I’m falling too. Scared but falling.”

“We’ll fall together. And I promise, this time I’ll catch you.”

And somehow, I believed him.