Remus.
It had been months since the battle with the Darkriver Pack, and the scars from that bloody conflict were slowly fading. The Shadowclaw Pack had not only rebuilt what was lost but had emerged stronger and more united than ever. Standing on the balcony of the packhouse, I took a deep breath, letting the cool breeze hit my face. The territory spread out before me, with new buildings glistening under the bright sun. The pack was thriving again.
As I stood there, surveying everything we had rebuilt, I couldn't help but feel a rare feeling of peace. The quiet was almost foreign after all the chaos, but it was welcomed.
My gaze lingered on the pack members below, going about their daily routines—laughing, working, and living without the constant threat of danger hanging over their heads. For the first time in a long while, everything seemed...normal.
But deep down, I knew better. This peace wasn't meant to last. It never did. The pack had rebuilt, but the wounds from the battle weren't just physical. We were still recovering from the loss, the pain, and the weight of what had happened. And though everything seemed calm now, I couldn't shake the feeling that another storm was brewing somewhere on the horizon.
I tried to push those thoughts aside. For now, I wanted to enjoy the moment. I wanted to believe that we could hold onto this peace, even if it was fleeting.
Rhea stepped out onto the balcony beside me, her presence instantly lightening the atmosphere. I glanced at her, noticing the way her face seemed more relaxed than it had been in months. There was a softness in her expression, a sense of relief that hadn't been there before.
"They're not coming back for months, are they?" she asked, her lips curving into a small smile. I knew exactly who she was talking about—my parents. My father and mother had traveled, leaving us some much-needed space, and Rhea was clearly enjoying the break from my mother's constant scrutiny.
"It's been so quiet without your mother around," she added, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I almost forgot what it's like not being blamed for everything."
I couldn't help but laugh softly, even though I felt a twinge of guilt. Rhea had been through so much already, and dealing with my mother's never-ending accusations was just another burden she didn't deserve. My mother always had a way of making Rhea feel like an outsider, like she was never good enough, and I hated that.
"You know she'll never change," I said, my tone apologetic as I reached out to gently take Rhea's hand. "But I promise, you'll never have to face her alone."
Rhea's eyes softened as she squeezed my hand in return, her touch warm and comforting. "I know," she replied, her voice gentle but filled with determination. "We've come through worse. I can handle her."
I admired her strength. Rhea had been through hell and back—dealing with the aftermath of the battle, the pressure of being Luna, and the constant challenges that came with leading the pack by my side. But she never complained. She never let anyone see the toll it took on her, not even me. And that made me love her even more.
For a moment, we stood there in silence, just taking in the peacefulness of the scene below us. The sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow over the land, and I felt a rare sense of contentment.
"I still can't believe we're finally here," Rhea said quietly, her gaze distant as she looked out over the territory. "After everything...it feels almost unreal."
"It does," I agreed, my voice low. "But we made it through. We're stronger now. The pack is stronger."
She nodded, but I could see the flicker of doubt in her eyes. She was thinking the same thing I was—that peace like this never lasts. That there was always another battle waiting just around the corner.
Before I could say anything more, Dante appeared on the balcony, his expression edgy. I could tell something was bothering him, and I knew this moment of peace was about to be interrupted.
"Alpha," he said, his voice tight with frustration. "We need to talk."
I nodded, releasing Rhea's hand as she stepped back, giving us some space. Dante's brows were furrowed, and there was a heaviness in his tone that I hadn't heard before.
"What is it, Dante?" I asked, bracing myself for whatever news he was about to deliver.
He hesitated for a moment, then sighed deeply. "I'm still struggling to find my mate," he admitted, his frustration evident in every word. "Everyone around me is moving on, finding their mates, starting their lives. And I'm... stuck. Watching from the sidelines."
I understood his pain. Finding a mate was everything to a wolf, and Dante had been waiting for years. But it wasn't something that could be rushed or forced.
"I get it," I said, trying to offer some reassurance. "But your time will come, Dante. You just have to be patient."
He clenched his jaw, clearly tired of hearing the same words over and over. "I've been patient, Remus," he muttered, his voice thick with frustration. "But I'm starting to wonder if I'm waiting for something that's never going to happen."
I stayed silent for a moment, letting his words sink in. I didn't want to give him false hope, but I also didn't want him to give up.
After a long pause, Dante's eyes flickered toward the pack members below, and I followed his gaze. My sister, Rachel, was walking among them, her usual confident stride catching Dante's attention.
"What about Rachel?" he asked suddenly, his voice quiet but firm. "She's strong, independent... maybe it's time I stop waiting for fate and take a chance myself."
I blinked, surprised by his words. Rachel and Dante? The idea caught me off guard. I had never thought about it before, but seeing the way Dante looked at her now made me realize that he was serious.
"She's my sister, Dante," I said, my voice cautious. "Are you sure about this?"
"I am," he replied without hesitation. "I care about her, Remus. I wouldn't ask if I wasn't serious."
I took a deep breath, weighing my options. I trusted Dante more than anyone, and I knew he would never do anything to hurt Rachel. But this wasn't something I could decide for her.
"If you really feel that way, then go ahead," I said finally, meeting his eyes. "But it's her choice. You'll have to talk to her yourself."
Dante nodded, a look of determination settling on his face. "I will," he promised, already planning his approach.
As he walked away, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Part of me was protective of Rachel, but another part of me was curious to see how this would play out. Dante was a good man, and if anyone deserved a chance at happiness, it was him.
Just as I thought the moment of tension had passed, I caught sight of Tessa lingering in the shadows, her eyes dark with jealousy. She didn't say anything, but her presence alone made me inquisitive. I could feel the bitterness radiating off her.
I turned back to Rhea, who had been watching the whole exchange silently. She met my gaze, a knowing look in her eyes. "It's never easy, is it?" she asked, her voice soft but steady.
"No," I replied, my voice heavy with the weight of everything that had happened and everything that was still to come. "It never is."
Rhea moved closer, wrapping her arms around my torso, her head resting against my chest. Her presence always made me feel grounded, like everything could be alright even when my mind was swarming with uncertainty.
"So, are you really going to let Dante marry Rachel if she accepts him?" she asked softly, her voice filled with curiosity.
I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I glanced down at her. "I don't know yet," I admitted, feeling the influence of the question.
"It's not my decision to make. If Rachel wants to be with Dante, that's her choice. And I won't stand in their way if she says yes."
Rhea's eyes lit up, and before I knew it, she was teasing me, nudging my side with her elbow. "You sound so serious about it, like you're already preparing for a wedding."
I chuckled at her teasing, shaking my head. "I'm not planning anything," I replied with a smirk. "But it's not up to me, and you know I can't control their emotions."
Suddenly, I couldn't resist the pull I felt toward her. Her smile, her laugh, the way she made even the most stressful days feel bearable—she had a power over me that I couldn't explain. My arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her close, and I kissed the top of her head, slowly trailing kisses down her forehead, cheeks, and nose.
Rhea let out a soft giggle, and I could feel her trying to stifle it as I kissed along her jawline, slowly working my way down to her neck. "Remus," she laughed, her voice coming out in breathy whispers. "People might see us."
I smirked, ignoring her gentle protests as I kissed her neck again, making her squirm in my arms. "Let them see," I whispered against her skin. "I don't care who's watching. Let the whole pack know how much I love you."
She tried to push me away playfully, but her laughter betrayed her. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and she pulled me closer, her breath warm against my ear. "You're impossible," she murmured, though her voice was filled with affection.
I kissed her, savoring the feel of her lips against mine. In moments like these, everything else faded away—the responsibilities, the battles, the heaviness of leadership. All I could think about was her, and how she made my world a little brighter, a little easier.
When we finally pulled apart, Rhea's gaze softened, and she rested her head against my chest again, holding me tightly. I stroked her hair, enjoying the calm, but I should've known it wouldn't last.
"I was thinking," she started, her voice hesitant. "I want to visit Silvermoon… I haven't been there since I moved here."
My body tensed immediately, and the ease of the moment vanished. Silvermoon. I had known this would come up eventually, but that didn't make it any easier to hear.
Damien.
The thought of him seeing Rhea again—of him even being near her—made my blood boil. I couldn't help it. The idea of Damien trying to get close to her was something I couldn't stand. And if she went back to Silvermoon, there was no doubt he'd be there.
Rhea noticed the change in me instantly. She pulled back slightly, looking up at me with concern. "Remus? What's wrong?"
I tried to steady my breathing, but the knot in my stomach tightened. I didn't want to tell her what I was really thinking—that I couldn't bear the idea of her going back to where Damien was. But she had the right to see her family. I just had to deal with my own jealousy and protectiveness.
"I'm just…" I started, trying to find the right words. "I don't want Damien near you, Rhea."
Her eyes softened, and she reached up to cup my face, her thumb gently brushing against my cheek. "Remus, he's in the past. I don't care about Damien. I just want to see my mom and Aria."
I nodded, but the worry didn't leave my body. She might not care about Damien, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try something. And the thought of that made me want to tear something apart. Still, I couldn't stop her from visiting her family.
"I know," I said quietly, pulling her close again. "But it's hard for me to just… let you go there. He's still around, Rhea."
She hugged me tightly, understanding my unspoken fears. "I'll be fine. And I'll be back before you know it."