But she chose us tonight.And I choose her, flaws, fear, ghosts and all.And that choice won’t waver.
Chapter Eleven
Trinity
The compound smells like rain and antiseptic and relief.
It’s a strange combination, one I don’t think I’ll ever forget.The storm rolled in sometime after we returned, soft at first, then heavier, washing blood from boots and dust from skin, muting the sharper edges of the night.Wolves move through it with quiet purpose, checking on the rescued, trading low words, settling back into the rhythms of survival.
No one looks at me like I’m a problem.That realization hits me harder than the raid ever did.
I sit on the edge of the infirmary steps, knees drawn up, watching Peyton move between cots with practiced ease.The rescued shifters are exhausted but alive, breathing, healing, and real.Every so often one of them reaches for her hand like she’s a lighthouse in a storm.
The ghosts linger farther back than they did before.Not frantic now.Not desperate.But more at peace.A young wolf I don’t recognize, maybe one of the captives who didn’t make it, stands near the tree line, his outline softening with every passing minute.When he catches my attention, he dips his head in a small, solemn nod.
“Thank you,”he says.
Then he’s gone.The silence that follows is deeper than anything I’ve known.Not the aching quiet of being alone but the settled hush of something finally finished.
“You should be resting.”Grayson’s voice is quiet and close.I look up to find him standing a few feet away, his side bound, his posture careful but steady.The pain in his eyes has dulled to something manageable, threaded now with concern.
“I’m fine,” I say automatically.He lifts a brow.I sigh.“Okay.I’m not.But I don’t think I can sleep yet.”
“Come with me,” he says.
Not a command.Not a question.An invitation.We don’t go far, just to the cabin this time, the door closing softly behind us, shutting out the rain and the noise and the weight of the pack’s attention.Inside, the space feels different than it did before.Not smaller but more real.
I hover near the door, suddenly unsure.
Grayson notices ...but of course he does.
“Hey,” he says gently.“You don’t have to be anywhere you don’t want to be.”
“I do want to be here,” I admit quietly.“I just ...don’t know how to stand still anymore.”
He nods, understanding etched deep into his features.“Then don’t.”
