One Week Later
Morning sunlight filtered gently through the curtains, painting warm golden patterns across the wooden floor.
The scent of fresh bread reached my room before I had even opened my eyes.
For a brief moment…
I forgot.
Forgot the rejection.
Forgot the Queen’s audience.
Forgot that somewhere beyond these walls, Calix Hannes was preparing to become the next Alpha of Clearwater.
Today wasn’t about any of that.
Today was my birthday.
Or perhaps more accurately…
The day Lira and Kael had found a frightened human child and decided she would never be alone again.
I smiled to myself before climbing out of bed.
The moment I stepped into the hallway-
“Happy Birthday!”
Lira was already waiting.
Before I could react, she wrapped me in a warm embrace, laughing as she kissed both of my cheeks.
“My sweet girl.”
Her voice trembled ever so slightly.
“I still remember how tiny you were.”
“I wasn’t that small.”
She gave me a knowing look.
“You fit inside one of Kael’s cloaks.”
“…I was small.”
She laughed triumphantly.
“I knew you’d admit it eventually.”
Heavy footsteps echoed from the kitchen.
Kael appeared carrying a wooden serving tray loaded with breakfast.
Fresh bread.
Honey.
Venison bacon.
Herbal tea.
He carefully set everything on the table before opening his arms.
“Come here.”
His hugs had always felt different.
Steady.
Like no matter what happened beyond these walls, nothing could reach me while he held me.
He lifted me effortlessly from the floor before setting me down again with a gentle smile.
“Happy Birthday.”
“Thank you, Father.”
He rested one calloused hand on my shoulder.
“We’re proud of you.”
Simple words.
Yet somehow they meant everything.
Lira suddenly clapped her hands together.
“Before breakfast.”
She disappeared for only a moment before returning with a neatly wrapped package tied with twine.
“I made it myself.”
“I can tell.”
She pretended to glare.
“Open it.”
Carefully, I untied the string and folded back the paper.
Inside rested a small velvet box.
When I opened it…
A delicate silver necklace caught the morning light.
Tiny moonflowers had been engraved into the pendant.
The craftsmanship wasn’t perfect.
That only made it more beautiful.
“It’s lovely.”
My voice came out softer than I intended.
“I love it.”
Lira’s eyes immediately began shining with tears.
“I knew it would suit you.”
I stood and hugged her tightly.
“Thank you.”
Just then-
The front door burst open.
“I’m not late, am I?”
Oria charged into the house carrying a bundle wrapped in green cloth.
She took one step.
Then another.
Her boot caught the edge of the entrance rug.
“Oh no-”
Straight toward us.
There was no time to dodge.
“No, wait-”
Thump!
Oria crashed into me.
I stumbled backward into Lira.
Lira collided with Kael.
The four of us collapsed into an undignified heap of arms, blankets, laughter, and half-spilled breakfast.
For one heartbeat…
Silence.
Then Oria burst into helpless laughter.
“I’m so sorry!”
She snorted.
“I’m really trying to sound sorry!”
That only made the rest of us laugh harder.
Kael shook his head with exaggerated disappointment.
“I have survived rogue wolves.”
He looked at Oria.
“But I fear enthusiastic birthdays may finally be my downfall.”
“I’m innocent,” Oria declared from somewhere beneath Lira’s arm.
“You tackled the birthday girl.”
“I embraced her aggressively.”
“There is a difference.”
Even Lira couldn’t keep a straight face.
I laughed until tears gathered in my eyes.
For the first time in what felt like forever…
They weren’t tears of sorrow.
Outside, the Clearwater Pack welcomed another peaceful morning.
Inside our little home…
I was surrounded by the family that had chosen me.
Far across the training grounds, however…
Another morning had begun very differently.
Calix Hannes stood beneath the watchful eyes of Alpha Veyl.
His coronation was only three months away.
And every sunrise brought him one step closer to becoming the leader Clearwater expected him to be.