“Every pack has suffered.Every species.Wolves.Bears.Leopards.Dire wolves.But the leopards...”My voice breaks.“We’re already so few.”
The room quiets.Even Calum and the twins go still.
I swallow hard, fighting the burn in my throat.“If the Hunters find them before I do, they’ll be wiped out.Silenced forever.And I can’t let that happen.”
I’ve lost enough.I’ve buried enough.I’ve survived enough.It’s time to fight for more than survival.
“I want to warn them,” I whisper.“I want to protect them.And I want to bring them home if they want a home.”
Peyton’s eyes shine.“Aria...”
“I know it’s dangerous.”
“It is.”
“I know Silas will freak out.”
“He absolutely will.”
“I know this might start something bigger than any of us can predict.”
“It might.”
“And I’m scared.”
Her expression softens.“Of course you are.”
“But I want to do it anyway.”
Peyton steps forward and pulls me into a tight hug.I stiffen for only a second before melting into her warmth.
“I’m proud of you,” she whispers fiercely.“You’ve come so far.You’re strong enough now to choose things that scare you.”
A tear slips down my cheek.I wipe it quickly.When we pull apart, the entire pack is standing in the doorway.Silas, Caine, Calum, Godrick, Marc, and the twins.
All of them.
All listening.
Silas moves first.He walks toward me slowly, carefully, like I’m something fragile but powerful.His hand cups my cheek.
“You want to find them,” he says quietly.
“Yes.”
“You want to warn them.”
“Yes.”
“You want to protect what’s left of your people.”
I swallow.“Yes.”
He inhales deeply, eyes shining with pride so fiercely it steals my breath.“Then we’ll help you.”
My heart stops.“We?”
“The pack,” Caine says from behind him.“You’re one of us, Aria.If your people are in danger, ours are too.”
