Warmth surges through me, warmth stronger than fear.Stronger than trauma.Stronger than pain.
Silas appears at my side, his dire wolf form massive and protective, eyes locked on me like I’m the center of the world.
The battle ends as quickly as it started.The remaining hunters retreat, knowing they are fighting a losing battle.The pack catches their breath.And I stand there—bruised, bleeding, and panting—beside Peyton and Silas and the pack that protected me.The pack I protected right back.
Silas shifts back to his human form, still bleeding, still furious, still focused entirely on me.He drops to his knees beside me, chest heaving.
“Aria,” he breathes.“You, goddess, you were...”
His voice breaks off like he can’t find the words.
I shift back slowly and collapse into the grass, trembling.Not from fear.From adrenaline.From instinct.From power.
Silas kneels beside me, one hand hovering over my cheek without touching.I hear murmurs and footsteps as the pack leaves us alone.
“You fought,” he whispers.“With us.For us.”
“For Peyton,” I whisper, breath shaking.“She ...she didn’t deserve what they were about to do.”
“No,” he says softly.“She didn’t.”
I look down at my hands, still trembling.“I thought I’d freeze.I thought I’d break.But I didn’t.”
“No,” Silas breathes.“You didn’t.You conquered.”
Tears burn my eyes.“I’m ...not afraid.Not anymore.”
His eyes soften to molten silver.“You’re becoming who you were always meant to be, Aria.”
Something warm flickers in my chest, brighter than fear, and stronger than doubt.The bond pulses again, more insistent this time.
I lift my hand and touch his arm.Silas’s breath catches.
“Silas,” I whisper, voice trembling with something new.Something real.
“Yeah?”he murmurs, his voice rough and full of emotion.
“I think ...I want to try this.Us.The bond.”
His eyes close, a pained, relieved sound escaping him.He lowers his forehead to mine.
“You have me,” he whispers.“Any way you want me.”
I close my eyes and breathe him in.Taking his face in my hands, I kiss him with every ounce of emotion I am feeling.
My fear doesn’t win.
Not today.
Not anymore.
