The sun rose slowly over Crescent Vale, spilling golden light across the burned landscape. The smell of ash was mostly gone now, replaced by the earthy scent of wet soil and new growth. It felt like the land was waking up again, and I hoped the pack would too.
Jax and I walked through the rebuilding site. Wolves carried beams and stones, patched up walls were already taking shape, and children ran between the adults, laughing as if the war had never happened. For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine this place as normal again.
But normal was gone.
“You’ve been quiet.” Jax said, glancing at me. “Thinking about… everything?”
I nodded. “It’s hard to focus when I feel everything all at once.”
He frowned. “I get it. The bond. Your magic.”
I rubbed my wrist where the relic still pulsed fa
