The Ending
The following evening, we attended a gathering of the Shadowfang elders and neighboring allies. As I walked into the hall on Kade‘ s arm, I couldn’t help but notice the admiring glances and murmurs from the crowd.
Among them stood Cedric, the Beta of Shadowfang, who approached us with at grin. “So, this is Arden,” he said, bowing slightly. “The one who has captured our Alpha‘ s heart.”
I offered a polite smile. “It’s an honor to meet you, Beta Cedric.”
He chuckled, raising his goblet in a toast. “You’ve no idea how long he’s waited for this moment. Did you know he’s loved you since he first laid eyes on you? Even when you didn’t know it, he was always watching over you.” He giggled. “Even when they were just pups… He was already admiring her, supporting her in the
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The Ending
The following evening, we attended a gathering of the Shadowfang elders and neighboring allies. As I walked into the hall on Kade‘ s arm, I couldn’t help but notice the admiring glances and murmurs from the crowd.
Among them stood Cedric, the Beta of Shadowfang, who approached us with a grin. “So, this is Arden,” he said, bowing slightly. “The one who has captured our Alpha’s heart.”
I offered a polite smile. “It’s an honor to meet you, Beta Cedric.”
He chuckled, raising his goblet in a toast. “You‘ ve no idea how long he’s waited for this moment. Did you know he’s loved you since he first laid eyes on you? Even when you didn’t know it, he was always watching over you. He giggled. “Even when they were just pups. . . He was already admiring her, supporting her in the
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shadows.”
Another elder chimed in, “Kade established the alliance with the Hallowspring Pack secretly just to ensure your safety. Every move he made was for you.”
Hearing their words, the pieces fell into place. Every time Kade had appeared to protect me, every choice he made–it had all been guided by his devotion.
And I couldn’t believe everything I’ve heard.
As the evening wore on, I felt the weight of his love, its depth and constancy, wrapping around me like a warm cloak. In the wild world of the packs, where power and betrayal were constants, I had found something rare and unshakable: a mate who would do anything to see me safe and happy.
When Kade returned to the den that evening, he found me sitting near the fire,
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my gaze lost in the flickering flames. He knelt beside me, his wolfish eyes warm with curiosity. “What’s on your mind, Arden? You seem far away.”
I turned to him with a soft smile. “I was just wondering… how did we meet as pups? I don‘ t remember it at all.”
Kade chuckled, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer. His voice dropped into a playful tone. “Many moons ago, there was a pup who always sat beneath the Great Willow, crying her little heart out.”
was a little pu
I laughed lightly, the memory tugging at the edges of my mind.
He continued, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I was training with my father, but your wailing was so loud it echoed across the glade. I couldn’t concentrate, so I finally went to investigate. That’s when I found. you, this tiny, scruffy pup with tears
streaking her face.
!!
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my gaze lost in the flickering flames. He knelt beside me, his wolfish eyes warm with curiosity. “What‘ s on your mind, Arden? You seem far away.”
I turned to him with a soft smile. “I was just wondering… how did we meet as pups? I don‘ t remember it at all.”
Kade chuckled, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer. His voice dropped into a playful tone. “Many moons. ago, there was a little pup who always sat beneath the Great Willow, crying her little heart out.”
I laughed lightly, the memory tugging at the edges of my mind.
He continued, a teasing glint in his eyes.
“I was training with my father, but your wailing was so loud it echoed across the glade. I couldn’t concentrate, so I finally went to investigate. That’s when I found you, this tiny, scruffy pup with tears streaking her face.”
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The memory clicked, and I gasped.
“Wait… you were the older
pup who
always came to comfort me?”
I saw it clearly now–how I would sit beneath the Great Willow, feeling lonely and weak because of my frail health. Then this strong, kind wolf would appear, his shadow falling over me as he listened to my sorrows. He’d sit with me, sharing stories, and I’d offer him little gifts: a wildflower, a shiny pebble, or a scrap of meat from my dinner.
I stared at him in awe. “Kade… to think
you‘ re the same wolf. You‘ ve really grown.”
He laughed softly, ruffling my hair like he used to. His touch was as warm and familiar as ever.
Kade’s gaze grew thoughtful, his voice quieter. “When you first came near to this place, I could see you were struggling. You were adjusting, but… not truly thriving. Then you got together with Xander.”
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He paused, a shadow of sadness crossing his face. “I hated it, but I thought… if being with him made you happy, I could accept it.”
His voice dipped lower, laced with emotion. “But as time passed, I saw he didn’t cherish you. You were withering, Arden, and it was unbearable to watch. So, I did what I could–I supported you from the shadows, fought battles you never knew about, and made sure your path was clear.” His lips curled into a self- deprecating smile. “But my desires grew. I wanted more. When I saw how little he
you
valued you, I knew I could love yo better.”
His words sank deep, wrapping around my heart like a warm embrace.
Meanwhile, back in the Hallowspring territory, Xander‘ s life spiraled into ruin. Consumed by despair, he neglected his duties, incurring the wrath of his pack. His father, Elder Thain, punished him severely,
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He paused, a shadow of sadness crossing his face. “I hated it, but I thought… if being with him made you happy, I could accept it.”
His voice dipped lower, laced with emotion. “But as time passed, I saw he didn’t cherish you. You were withering, Arden, and it was unbearable to watch. So, I did what I could–I supported you from the shadows, fought battles you never knew about, and made sure your path was clear.” His lips curled into a self- deprecating smile. “But my desires grew. I wanted more. When I saw how little he valued you, I knew I could love you better.”
His words sank deep, wrapping around my heart like a warm embrace.
Meanwhile, back in the Hallowspring territory, Xander‘ s life spiraled into ruin. Consumed by despair, he neglected his duties, incurring the wrath of his pack. His. father, Elder Thain, punished him severely,
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and his health suffered until he was confined to the healer’s den.
As for Cecilia, she vanished. Rumors spread like wildfire. Some said she wandered the barren moors, her once- proud spirit broken. Others claimed she had been seen in the rogue territories, unkempt and desperate. Then, one evening, a messenger from the Hallowspring Pack brought news.
“Arden,” the voice was hushed, almost hesitant. “You won’t believe this, but I’ve seen Cecilia.”
The mention of her name stirred no
emotion within me–she was a ghost from another life.
“She’s fallen far,” the messenger continued. “Barely recognizable now, ranting about becoming a great Alpha‘ s mate. But… it’s worse. She’s been mistreated, taken advantage of by rogues. And she’s carrying a pup.
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I felt no pity. Every wolf walks their own. path and bears the weight of their choices. I had extended kindness once, only to be met with betrayal.
That night, as I sat reflecting, Kade entered the den, carrying a small tray. “You‘ ve been sitting here for hours,” he said, setting down a bowl of warm stew. “Eat. You need your strength.”
I looked up to find his familiar, steady presence beside me. The firelight played across his sharp features, and I felt an overwhelming sense of contentment. Outside, the forest whispered with life. Inside, I was home–with my mate, my protector, and the wolf who had loved me. all along.
