|Carmella|
The journey back to my territory stretched long and gave me ample time for reflection. By the time I crossed the familiar boundary of the land I called home, a profound wave of relief washed over me. The scents of the territory—pine mingled with damp earth and the crisp tang of southern air—wrapped around me like a long-lost embrace, grounding me in the reality that I was finally back where I belonged.
As I approached the compound, I noticed a growing hum of excitement. The murmurs swelled into a chorus of recognition, and one by one, my pack members appeared, their faces lighting up with joy and relief at the sight of me. Their voices overlapped in a cheerful clamor, each one eager to express how much I’d been missed.
Amidst the crowd stood Hans, his towering frame impossibl
