Chapter 111

Elora’s POV

The whole pack felt like it was finally exhaling. Smoke actually meant dinner now, someone was making bread, I think, and it smelled like actual hope for once. Kids ran around the place, playing and laughing, not a care in the world, stomping through puddles and over dirt like it was just another game. For the first time in a long time, I spotted these stubborn little purple flowers sticking out of the busted pavement, like the world just decided to keep going. It should’ve made me happy, or at least less hollow.

But, full honesty? I kept bracing for it to all snap. Every shout, every bark of laughter, my nerves lit up like someone was about to scream for real. Muscle memory, I guess. My dreams still reeked of iron and ash. My body hadn't gotten used to the fact that we have peace after a very long time.

Dante met me by the well, sleeves shoved up, dirt on his face like he forgot to wash off. He’d been hauling planks for the training hall, and seeing him like that... sweaty, sunburned, just a guy instead of a soldier, somehow made things feel... solid. Like maybe we could build something again.

“Hey,” he said quietly and gently, and gave me a look like he knew exactly how much I was pretending to be fine. “You’ve been at it all day. Come on. Rest.”

I tried to argue... I always do, but he just took my hand. His palm was rough, so warm I almost flinched, and he led me back to his place at the edge of camp. The door’s hanging on by a miracle, and the whole cabin was still filled with dust. Inside, candles were lit up to liven the place.

He handed me a cup of water. We didn’t talk. We didn't talk for a moment, as if each person was thinking of a conversation starter.

“Are you still not sleeping?” he finally said.

I just shrugged. “Like you are?”

He gave me this crooked smile. “Guess we can fake it together tonight.”

There was no rush. No desperate hands, no teeth or fire. Just this slow, careful gravity pulling us together, like the universe finally remembered how to do soft things. He brushed my jaw with his thumb and I actually let him. Didn’t flinch. Didn’t pull away.

His kiss was gentle and patient. The kind of kiss that just waits for you to say yes. Outside, the world just... paused. Even the bugs shut up for a second. His lips made promises I didn’t even know I wanted.

When we finally landed in his bed, it wasn’t some movie scene. No fireworks. Just quiet, steady, like every touch was rewriting old hurts. He kissed my scars and whispered stuff I probably didn’t deserve, but I let it happen, just for a minute. Maybe this was what I needed at this point.

After we were done, I curled into his chest, tracing my hands to the beat of his heart, slow and certain under my fingers. He combed through my hair, not saying much, and it was enough.

“Think we’ll ever be normal again?” I mumbled.

He didn’t even hesitate. “Nope. But maybe we’ll end up better.”

That hit me right in the ribs.

Outside, the night just kept humming along, moonlight sliding across the floorboards. I watched his face go silver and thought of another set of eyes—Dominic’s. Cold, shadowed, always watching from the dark.

I didn't wanna think about him. I didn't want the mess of guilt, or the way his touch haunted me, or how his stupid voice kept hanging around my head like stubborn cigarette smoke. But love is not something you switch off when it gets messy. It was not communicable.

Dante finally lay next to me, breathing softly. Meanwhile, I just lay there, staring holes into the ceiling. My chest felt like someone had poured sand on it. It was like I was gaining something while losing something in return. And I didn't know what to choose to lose and gain.

I reached over, pushed his hair off his forehead, the same as I did back in the tent a few days ago. He looked so beautiful in the shadows, hands still tangled up in mine, even while he slept.

“I should feel whole,” I mumbled, barely more than a breath. “So why don’t I?”

The wind whispered through the busted old cabin, bringing in that sharp, woody smell, ash and pine. Somewhere way out there, a wolf let loose this long, sad howl. I squeezed my eyes shut, like that’d help, wishing I didn’t recognize exactly who it reminded me of.

I am right here with Dante, breathing steady, but something is just… missing. Peace is back, but my insides haven’t caught up. Because out there under the same busted-up moon, Dominic’s still awake too, and neither of them knows how to quit.

Dominic's Pov

I closed my eyes, trying to memorize the smell of the wood. It always smelled like rain and I was beginning to like it.

“I’ve lost enough to know what love really costs,” I said, my voice barely able to keep to its original tempo. “If loving her means I've got to let go… then yeah. Fine. Let her be happy. Even if it’s not with me.”

I might as well have carved the words right into my skin. And it hurts.

The moon just stayed up there, huge and shiny, like it was mocking me. Maybe it was. Wouldn’t put it past the universe to be nosy.

Below, I heard laughter... Elora’s, bright and real, Dante trailing after her. They were out in the courtyard, just living, not weighed down by any of this.

Managed half a smile, even though it burned. Maybe the pain means I’m still alive, you know?

Maybe love isn’t about winning at all. Maybe it’s just about knowing when to let go.