Chapter 78: The Heart After the Storm

The smoke had barely cleared when Elias lifted Serena into his arms and carried her out of the chamber.

Behind them, the ruins of Zevrin’s lair groaned under the weight of what had transpired. The rift was sealed, but not without scars. Fissures ran along the walls, and magical residue shimmered in the air, like ash after a wildfire.

“Is she breathing?” Theron asked, trailing behind with Kael.

Elias didn’t take his eyes off Serena’s face. “Yes. Just... exhausted.”

She stirred faintly, her cheek brushing against his chest. “You’re warm.”

Elias breathed a shaky sigh. “You scared the hell out of me.”

“I’m okay,” she murmured. “I think... I’m okay.”

“Liar,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

They emerged into the moonlight just as dawn began to creep over the horizon. The trees of the ancient forest stood silent, bearing witness. Elias laid her gently on the moss, his hand brushing hair from her face. Her skin glowed faintly, like embers refusing to fade.

Theron knelt beside her, offering her a flask of healing brew. Serena took it with trembling fingers and sipped.

“I saw you glow like a goddess in there,” Theron said with a crooked smile. “Remind me never to piss you off.”

Kael chuckled behind him. “We’ll be writing songs about this for generations.”

Serena’s lips quirked. “Make sure I’m at least five inches taller in the story.”

Elias smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Something was wrong.

She could feel it in him—the way his hand clenched, the way his jaw ticked. She reached for him, curling her fingers into his.

“What is it?” she whispered.

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned down until their foreheads touched. “You nearly burned yourself out. I felt you slipping away.”

“I had to seal it.”

“There should’ve been another way.”

“There wasn’t.”

They stayed there, holding on to each other as the world around them slowly began to wake. The wind whispered through the trees, and birds began to call out softly.

And still, they didn’t let go.

Eventually, Serena sat up, letting her head rest on his shoulder.

“Do you think it’s really over?” she asked.

“No,” Elias said quietly. “Zevrin escaped. The portal’s closed, but if he’s alive, he’ll try again. And next time, he’ll be smarter.”

Theron crossed his arms. “So, what do we do now? Hunt him?”

Serena glanced at the others. “We rebuild. We warn the other packs. We make sure they’re ready.”

Kael nodded. “The Whitefang will follow you. You’re the fire of the prophecy now.”

Serena blinked. “Excuse me?”

“The runes on the chamber wall,” Kael said. “I saw them. You’re not just the mate of the Alpha King. You’re the one who was meant to close the veil. The Fire of the Moon.”

Elias looked at her then, awe written plainly on his face. “They were talking about you all along.”

Serena laughed softly. “I thought they were talking about someone a lot braver. Someone who wasn’t terrified half the time.”

Kael smiled. “Bravery isn’t about being fearless. It’s about what you do despite the fear.”

She reached for Elias again, threading her fingers through his.

“And what if I’m tired of being a symbol?” she asked. “What if I just want to be yours?”

He kissed the back of her hand, slow and reverent. “Then be mine. Always.”

Theron groaned. “Gods, you two are disgustingly romantic. Can you save that until after we debrief the council?”

Elias chuckled, but didn’t move. “You can go ahead. We’ll catch up.”

But Serena didn’t want to wait.

They had survived too much. Held back too long.

So she stood, still shaky but glowing with quiet power, and turned to Elias.

“Take me somewhere quiet,” she said. “Just for a moment. Just us.”

He didn’t hesitate.

In one swift movement, he scooped her up again—ignoring her playful protest—and carried her through the forest until they reached a clearing she recognized.

The moonflowers were still blooming. Soft white petals glowed faintly in the rising light.

Elias laid her down on the blanket of petals and settled beside her.

“You remember this place?” he asked.

She smiled. “It’s where we kissed for the first time. Before the chaos.”

He leaned closer. “Before destiny got involved.”

She cupped his face, her voice soft. “Then let’s forget the prophecy, the power, the war... Just for now. Let’s be Serena and Elias. Two people who survived.”

He kissed her—deep and slow.

Their bond sparked between them, stronger than ever. Every brush of his lips spoke promises: of healing, of forever, of everything they’d nearly lost.

His hand slipped around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

Serena's breath caught.

His touch was no longer just protective—it was possessive, reverent. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he trailed kisses down her neck, his voice husky against her skin.

“You smell like fire and moonlight,” he murmured.

“You always say that.”

“Because it’s always true.”

She smiled, breathless, as he pressed her down into the flowers. The world faded away.

For that moment, they were not warriors.

Not rulers.

Just two souls tangled together in the hush of morning, making promises in sighs and kisses.

And the fire between them?

It didn’t burn them alive.

It made them whole.