LOGINRONAN'S POV"Riders coming up the valley road."Marcus called down from the watchtower. His voice carried across the morning quiet. I looked up from the garden where I was teaching our daughter to transplant seedlings."How many?" I called back."Six. Maybe seven. Carrying banners."Banners meant official business. I wiped dirt from my hands. Our daughter looked up at me with those bright silver eyes."Who's coming, Papa?""Don't know yet, little one." I picked her up despite her muddy hands. "Let's go find out."Elara and Kael were already at the main house when I arrived. Both standing on the porch. Watching the road with matching frowns."Official delegation from the capital," Kael said without looking at me. "Recognize the colors."My stomach tightened. "What do they want?""Nothing good," Elara muttered. But she straightened. Smoothed her dress. Put on that diplomatic face she used to wear constantly. "Guess we're about to find out."The riders arrived within the hour. Six mounte
ELARA'S POV"Mama, look! Look!"Our daughter's voice rang clear across the village square. High and excited. Full of pure joy.I turned from hanging decorations to see her toddle toward me. Fast little legs pumping. Arms outstretched for balance. She'd only been walking confidently for two months but already moved like she owned the world."I'm looking, sweetling," I called back. Smiled as she stumbled slightly. Caught herself. Keep going.One year old today. Well, one year since we'd found her glowing in that chamber. Since she'd saved us all. Since everything changed.The village had transformed for her celebration. Colorful banners hung between houses. Tables groaned under food. Children ran everywhere shrieking with laughter. Everyone had come to celebrate our little miracle."Flower!" She thrust a daisy at me. Crushed and wilted from her tight grip. "Made it pretty!""It's beautiful," I said. Knelt down to her level. "Did you pick this yourself?"She nodded enthusiastically. Her
KAEL'S POV"You're really not coming back?"Marcus stood at my door with disbelief written all over his face. He was one of my old pack warriors. We'd fought side by side for years."I'm not," I said while leaning against the doorframe."Kael, the western border is falling apart. Rogue wolves attacking settlements. Alpha disputes turning bloody." He stepped closer. "They need you. We need you.""You have other strong wolves.""Not like you." His eyes were almost pleading now. "You're the best fighter we ever had. You ended the shadow war. People listen to you."I looked past him at the village. Peaceful. Quiet. Normal."I'm done with wars, Marcus.""This isn't war. It's protection. Justice." He grabbed my shoulder. "When did you stop caring about our people?"That hit harder than I wanted to admit."I still care," I said. "But I can't keep fighting everyone's battles. I need to build something instead of destroying it."Marcus stared at me for a long moment. Then he let go and stepped
ELARA'S POV"Please. Just one more. My daughter can't sleep. Nightmares since the plague."Fifth person today. Seventh this week. All standing at our door. All needing something."I'm sorry. Healing hours ended two hours ago. Come back Thursday—""But she's suffering now. You're the moon priestess. You ended the plague. Surely you can help one child?"Guilt twisted in my gut. One child. Just one more. What was one more?"Elara." Kael's voice behind me. Warning. Alpha tone. "It's family time.""It'll just take a minute—""No." Firm. Final. He addressed the woman. "Come back Thursday. Sanctuary hours are posted. Follow them."The woman left. Resentful. Disappointed. Judging.Closed the door. Leaned against it. Exhausted."You're doing it again," Ronan said. Gentle but concerned. "Trying to save everyone. Burning yourself out.""She has a daughter—""You have a daughter," Kael interrupted. Pointed to the baby pup. Playing alone. Glancing at me. Waiting. "Who barely saw you today because
RONAN'S POV"Where are they?"Jolted awake. Heart pounding. Hand reaching for the blade under my pillow.I wasn't there. Right. We were home. Safe. No weapons in the bedroom.Elara stirred beside me. "Ronan? You okay?""Fine. Just..." Scanned the room. Windows. Doors. Exit routes. "Fine."She touched my arm. Gentle. "Bad dream?""Something like that."Couldn't explain it. The feeling. Like danger lurked just outside. Like enemies waited in the tree line. Like peace was temporary and violence inevitable.Even though I knew better. Knew the Shadow Blight was gone. Knew we'd won. Knew we were safe.My body hadn't learned that yet.Got up. Pre-dawn dark. I walked to the window. Scanned the property. Trees. Garden. Empty training yard.Nothing. No threats. No movement. Just peaceful land under starlight."This is the third time this week," Elara said. Sitting up. Concern in her voice. "You're not sleeping.""I'm sleeping enough.""You're checking for threats that don't exist.""Old habits
ELARA'S POV"The kitchen window goes here. East-facing, morning light.""That's the worst spot." Kael crossed his arms. Alpha stubborn. "Too much sun. Food will spoil faster.""It's perfect for moon herbs. They need dawn light.""Then put the herbs outside. Kitchen needs practical placement."Wanted to throw something at him. Settled for glaring. "This is my kitchen—""Our kitchen," Ronan interrupted. Stood between us. Again. "And it's going on the south wall. Compromise. Gets light all day. Happy?"We both grumbled. But nodded.Normal argument. Domestic. About window placement.Cried that night. Tears of relief. Because we were fighting about mundane things. Not life or death. Not shadow corruption. Just... windows.Construction started three weeks ago. Village craftsmen helped. Good wolves. Skilled. Respectful.They worked fast. Foundation complete in days. Walls rising now. Roof frame visible.Simple design. Three bedrooms. Common area for pack time. Kitchen. Workshop space for my







