Man, I just finished this one last night, and I'm still kind of processing. It's a wild ride. So, without going too deep into every twist, Elara (the 'wolfless' one) ends up proving her strength isn't tied to a wolf at all. Her human cunning and the unique bond she forges with the land itself become key to saving the pack from a corrupt external threat that pure physical strength couldn't overcome.
Kael, the Alpha, has to confront his own prejudices and the toxic traditions of his pack. The climax involves Elara using her knowledge of herbs and old magic to counteract a poison that's weakening the wolves, while Kael holds the line physically. They win, obviously, but the real ending is about restructuring their society. Elara becomes a respected Luna not by suddenly getting a wolf, but by them formally recognizing her different kind of power. They have a pup in the epilogue, and it's hinted the child might inherit her unique connection instead of a traditional wolf. Felt like a solid conclusion against ableism in these shifter societies.
I kept expecting a last-minute wolf manifestation, but I'm glad the author stuck to the premise. Makes the victory more meaningful.