Rex’s POVThe echoes of the word Luna filled my mind as if every voice had been waiting for that exact moment. It was overwhelming, but beneath the weight, pride surged through me. Aries helped me up, his smile brighter than the lights flooding the field.“Welcome to the pack, love,” he whispered, pulling me closer.“Is this how it always feels?” I asked once I managed to steady myself.“Not really,” he grinned. “The weight will wear off after a while.”I nodded softly. “It does feel different… but the good kind.”Aries gave me one last look before turning to the crowd, who instantly quieted as his gaze swept over them.“Limit the use of the link for now,” he ordered firmly. “We all know how overwhelming it is the first time—let’s not give your Luna a headache.”A ripple of chuckles spread through the field.I nudged Aries with a frown. “A headache won’t bother me.”“It’ll bother me,” he countered calmly.I rolled my eyes but let it go. “Thank you for welcoming me into the pack,” I ca
Ron’s POVWe had camped outside the Banished barrier for a full day. A whole day without the faintest trace of them. I knew this was the only way out, they could only hold on for so long, but with every passing hour, my patience frayed. What if I was wasting my time here?The elders had summoned me countless times, but what did those old fools know about patience and strategy? I ignored their calls. If they wanted me, they could come here and wait like I was. I was the one trying to pull their loose plans together, while they sat comfortably at home questioning my decisions. I wasn’t going back. Not until I saw Rex crawl out of that barrier. I would be here to witness her end, and I’d be the one to deliver it.“Alpha,” one of the warriors greeted, bowing as he stepped into my tent.Already irritated, I snapped my head up. “What is it?”“With all due respect, Alpha…” he swallowed hard, “I think we should return to the pack.”For a moment, I thought I misheard. “What?”He glanced at the
Rex’s POVEvening fell faster than it would on any ordinary day, almost as if the universe itself couldn’t wait for what tonight held.I hadn’t seen Aries much since the meeting, and I wasn’t allowed to help with the preparations. According to the rules, I wasn’t supposed to be present until everything was set. So, I was stuck in my room. But maybe that wasn’t so bad, it gave me time to sit with my thoughts.Thoughts of Selene.I still didn’t know how to feel. I was sad, yes. I pitied the way her life ended. But pity couldn’t erase what she had done. She was used, twisted into a weapon, but even that didn’t justify the pain she brought. The lives she stole. To hear that she simply withered away, leaving no trace behind… it was too sad.And of course, Ron had a hand in it.His world was small, yet his claws reached everywhere, always brushing too close to me. That had to end. Soon.Do you think it’ll be that easy? Ria murmured softly in my head.Then we’ll make it easy, I whispered bac
Aries’s POVDinner with the pack was quieter than usual. The air was heavy, like everyone had something weighing on their mind. I couldn’t blame them. The words I’d spoken earlier about the joining ceremony hadn’t left anyone’s thoughts, not mine, and clearly not theirs.I kept my eyes on Rex through most of the meal, even as she moved easily through conversations with those who stopped by to check on her. She had a way of making people feel seen, feel at ease. That in itself gave me peace.The Banished had taken their meal in another building, but Robin and Zane went to join them. They said they needed to speak with them personally, and I trusted their judgment.All in all, it hadn’t been a bad day. I could only hope tomorrow went just as well.My father had asked me to make time to debrief on his ally-gathering efforts, and I knew I couldn’t keep the truth about Selene from Rex for much longer. I decided I’d handle it all at once. Tomorrow.After we ate, I wasted no time tugging Rex
Rex’s POVThe mention of a joining ceremony took me by surprise. Even if this was my first time living in a pack, I knew exactly what it meant. Just as the name implied, it was when new members were officially welcomed into the pack.It wasn’t something done every passing day. Sometimes a Luna lived in a pack for years before being added through the ceremony. It wasn’t only symbolic; it was binding. It created a link—an invisible tether that let you connect, speak, feel with the others, that mindlink. That bond wasn’t something a pack gave away easily. Which was why the ritual was usually delayed until it was absolutely necessary.But hearing Aries mention it so openly, in front of this many people, told me he wasn’t bluffing. He never did. What I didn’t know was—who exactly was he talking about? Just me? Or all of us from the Banished?The murmurs rippling through the crowd told me I wasn’t the only one asking that question. Aries squeezed my hand, mouthing, We’ll talk later.I nodde
Rex POVAs we walked into the pack house after leaving the Field, my eyes softened at how well the ruins had been replaced, almost like that attack had never even happened.Were we gone that long? Long enough for them to rebuild all this so perfectly?Me and Aries climbed the stairs and made our way directly to our room, the comfort of home we really needed right now. Just that moment to breathe while in each other’s arms.Julian and everyone else slipped into their rooms as well. Zane was given a room by Alpha Charles who, just like Aries, was still being protective about him and Rose sharing a bed. Those Alpha tropes…After showering, we lay on the bed without a word. I rested gently on him, the steady sound of his heartbeat keeping me grounded. The silence felt like a break from everything that had happened this past week. Just being there screamed freedom to me.After a while, I spoke softly, my hand tracing circles on Aries’s arm.“Do you think they’ll accept the banished?”His b