Chapter 233
SONIA’S POV
As the rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, I felt the warmth of peace that had eluded me for so long. Ramon stirred beside me, his hand protectively resting on my stomach. For the first time in weeks, the burden of unresolved emotions lifted.
Bloodmoon was behind us now, but the responsibilities of the future loomed large. As Luna of Silverpaw, I knew I had to confront the challenges that awaited us, from healing the wounds of war to uniting our fractured pack.
The first order of business was reestablishing trust among the wolves. The scars of my father’s defiance and subsequent loss still lingered in the air. But Cade, now Alpha of Silverpaw, was determined to lead with fairness and strength, and I trusted him with every fiber of my being. Ramon stirred beside me, his warmth grounding me momentarily. His arm draped protectively over my waist, a reminder of the fragile peace we’d found. Yet my thoughts wandered, returning to the memories of my father’s loss and the burdens it left behind.
“You’re up early,” Ramon murmured, his voice rough with sleep.
“I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted softly, my fingers brushing his hand. “There’s so much to be done, and I can’t stop thinking about what’s next.”
He propped himself up, his dark eyes scanning my face. “Sonia, you don’t have to carry it all alone. We’ll handle it together. Whatever comes.”
I wanted to believe him, to take solace in his words, but a lingering shadow in my heart warned me it wouldn’t be so simple.
“I have to prepare for the council meeting today,” I whispered to Ramon as he pressed a kiss to my temple.
“I’ll be there with you,” he replied, his voice filled with unwavering determination.
Later that morning, the council meeting drew every leader and warrior of Silverpaw. Cade stood at the center of the hall, his presence commanding respect. Gone was the carefree brother I once knew, he was an Alpha now, and his voice carried the weight of our father’s legacy.
“We stand at the threshold of a new era,” Cade began, his voice steady but resolute. “Our pack has endured great loss. But with every end comes the chance for rebirth. To those who doubted our strength, let this moment be a testament to our resilience.”
A ripple of approval passed through the crowd, yet I noticed some wolves exchanging wary glances. Old wounds didn’t heal overnight, and my father’s defiance had left its mark.
Beside Cade, Ramon stood tall, his presence a silent promise of unity. When it was my turn to speak, I felt every eye on me, their expectations heavy. I addressed the pack as their Luna, not just Ramon’s mate, but a bridge between Bloodmoon and Silverpaw.
“Our strength lies in unity,” I said, my voice steady though my hands trembled at my sides. “We are one pack now, not divided by past mistakes. Together, we will rebuild, stronger than ever before.”
The crowd’s approval swelled, but beneath it, an undercurrent of doubt lingered. I could feel it, even as I descended from the platform. Change wasn’t easy, and not everyone was ready to embrace it.
After the meeting, I sought out Ivy. She sat on a tree stump near the edge of camp, her usual playful demeanor replaced with quiet contemplation. “You’ve been awfully quiet lately,” I said, nudging her shoulder.
She smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just thinking. It’s strange, isn’t it? How things change so quickly. One moment we’re fighting for our lives, and the next, we’re trying to piece everything back together.”
I nodded, her words echoing my own thoughts. “Change is never easy, but we’ve survived this far. We’ll keep going.”
She gave me a sidelong glance. “You’re stronger than you think, Sonia. But I can tell something’s weighing on you.”
I hesitated. Could I voice the unease that had been gnawing at me? The feeling that peace was too fragile, that something or someone was waiting to
shatter it?
“I’m fine,” I said finally, forcing a smile. “Just tired.”
But Ivy wasn’t convinced, and neither was I. We need to held back, we both stood up and slowly worked as it’s already getting dark.
1/2
6:41 PM
Chapter 233
That evening, as the camp settled into its nightly rhythm, I decided to clear my head with a walk through the woods. The familiar scent of pine and earth calmed me, but it couldn’t drown out the unease simmering beneath the surface.
Then I smelled it, a scent so faint I almost missed it. My heart stilled as recognition struck. Lorena.
Every muscle in my body tensed as I scanned the darkened trees. The shadows seemed to move, shifting unnaturally, until she emerged from the darkness.
She looked different, her once–perfect poise now twisted into something jagged and raw. Her eyes, once captivating, now burned with a hatred that sent a chill down my spine.
“Hello, Sonia,” she said, her voice dripping with malice. “I see you’re enjoying your little fairy tale ending.”
“What do you want, Lorena?” I asked, my voice sharp despite the fear clawing at my chest.
She smiled, a cold, cruel curve of her lips. “Revenge, of course. Did you think you could humiliate me, take everything I wanted, and walk away unscathed?”
“You brought this on yourself,” I said, my wolf bristling beneath the surface. “You chose deceit over loyalty, cruelty over love. You have no one to blame but yourself.”
Her expression darkened, and for a moment, I saw the depths of her hatred laid bare. “You don’t understand, do you? This isn’t over, Sonia. It’s only just beginning.”
Before I could respond, she melted back into the shadows, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts.
By the time I returned to camp, my mind was a whirlwind of fear and anger. Ramon was waiting for me outside our tent, his concern evident the
moment he saw me.
“What happened?” he asked, his voice low but urgent.
“Lorena,” I said, the name bitter on my tongue. “She’s back. And she wants revenge.”
His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened with a fury that mirrored my own. “She won’t touch you or the pack. I’ll make sure of it.”
But as I looked into his eyes, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be enough. Lorena was cunning, and she wouldn’t strike unless she was certain of her success.
Over the next few days, I felt the tension in the air thickening. Ramon doubled the patrols, and Cade began organizing the warriors for potential conflict. The pack sensed the shift, their unease growing with each passing moment.
Despite the looming threat, I found strength in Ramon’s unwavering resolve and Cade’s leadership. Ivy stood by my side, her sharp wit a welcome distraction from the weight of it all.
But in the quiet moments, when the camp was still and the stars shone above, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the storm was drawing closer. Lorena’s return wasn’t just a threat–it was a promise. And I knew she wouldn’t rest until she had torn everything we’d built apart.
As I lay awake that night, Ramon’s steady breathing beside me, I made a silent vow. Whatever came next, I would protect my pack, ny family, and the life we’d fought so hard to build.
The dawn would bring new challenges, but I was ready to face them. For Silverpaw. For my child. For us all.
