Black Howler did not greet Elara with a mating ball. She had threatened Kael, and he had listened.

Instead, the Royal Pack gathered in the open council court three weeks after the war.

No glittering ceremony.

No line of unmated wolves.

Just pack leaders, guards,

Months later, Crimson Fang’s memorial clearing was quiet. No alarms, no blood, no pack waiting to judge her.

Elara stood between her parents’ stones with moonlight across her shoulders.

Kael stayed several steps back.

He had learned.

Some moments belonged beside