Chapter 75

That night, we talked of everything and nothing.

I was finally free.

I didn’t have to hide, even behind a version of myself I created.

We didn’t have to sneak around. I wasn’t worried that someone would find us, nor was I constantly checking to make sure I wasn’t late for something or where I should be.

I felt freedom for the first time in years, and it was airy bliss.

***

The next morning, it was Tia who timidly knocked on my door. I had awoken in Ezra’s arms after not knowing when I fell asleep. After he helped me walk to the bathroom, even though I felt better than fine, he finally agreed to give me some space to get ready.

I went to my closet and couldn’t find anything that I even remotely liked. It wasn’t just because of the memories these dated dresses held.

I purposely chose the clothes that weren’t right for me, the ones that would swallow me or not fit me right. Just something a little off where I wouldn’t look good, but not wrong enough for people’s gazes to linger on me.

Tia was bouncing up and down beside me.

“What is it?” I asked. I felt as if she were about to burst with something.

“We did something for you!” she exclaimed and put her hand over her mouth, frowning. “I’m sorry, I just…” She averted her eyes, and I walked up, taking her hands in mine, waiting for her to look at me again.

“Don’t apologize ever for being excited. I love to see you like that.” A wide smile slowly spread back on her face until it lit her eyes. “Now, what is it?” I asked.

She went into the hall and carefully brought back in a basket. “Sit down,” she insisted. “Er, if you want to, Alpha.” She did a little curtsy.

“Tia,” I told her, trying not to laugh. “Nothing has changed.”

Well, everything had, but not between us.

She took a deep breath. “Okay.”

I didn't know if my words truly sunk in. I knew it would take some time but I wouldn't mention it again, I didn't think she was one that took criticism in any form too well, however constructive it might be.

She turned to pull some fabric from the basket and held it up to me. They unraveled into a pair of pants. Next, she showed me a pale blue dress, a few shirts, and another dress in dark blue that was more casual than anything I had seen in years.

“We made these for you yesterday,” she told me, looking at me expectantly. “And look,” she pointed to something now carefully laid on the other chair next to me. “Pants!”

I smiled widely, leaning over to touch them. “Goddess, I missed pants,” I breathed.

Clothes I actually liked, clothes that were of my choosing, or chosen by those who knew me. It was a luxury I didn’t realize I missed so much.

My eyes watered. “Thank you, Tia. I cannot describe what this means.”

“We all did it, well, most of us. It was a group effort.”

I stood and pulled her into a tight hug. She froze for a moment before melting into me and wrapping her arms around me.

“A small gesture for our new Alpha,” Tia whispered, and my tears openly spilled.

***

I chose to wear the black pants and a white shirt, reveling in the freedom of it. I left my hair loose, and when I checked my reflection in the mirror, I was surprised to find I had some color back in me, my eyes had life in them and I wasn’t as ghostlike as I was even a few weeks prior.

Ezra was waiting outside my door.

“The werecats first, I think,” he told me.

“I agree, what after?”

“Nolan, and then The Alphas and Lunas last, so it gives you... gives us, time to come up with some semblance of a plan to present to them.”

“Let them wait,” I told him. “I want to meet with Alpha Alexander, as well, if he’s still here. But before anything else, I need to speak to the pack first alongside Nolan.”

“Your wish is my command, Alpha.” He lowered his head in a sort of bow, but he was smiling. “I am to be your Luna, after all.”

I barked a laugh. The thought of him as a Luna was too much. It took me a few moments to catch my breath.

“What?” he asked, his mismatched eyes sparkling.

“Just the thought of you planning parties,” I responded, waving at him.

Him in his mercenary wear, weapons strapped, his face giving nothing away but occasional disdain.

“I am good at coordinating,” he responded.

I took his hand in mine, and he froze for a second before squeezing it back. “That we can agree on.”

***

Nova was standing alone at the foot of the steps as if she had been expecting me, and she very well might have.

When she caught sight of me, her imperious confidence dropped, and, to my surprise, she pulled me into a hug.

“Thank you,” she breathed. “I cannot. There are no words—” she choked.

“Thank you for your support,” I told her. “I’m just returning what has belonged to you.”

She pulled back and wiped at her eyes, settling back into her armor of confidence. The other werecats came out of the forest on some silent cue and stood behind her.

“The lands are yours,” I told her, stepping aside.

The air stilled, the sounds of the forest stopped. Nova and I looked at each other. I tried to find Ezra, but the wind picked up and swirled around the two of us in an impenetrable wall.

The morning sun was pulled from the sky and danced in bright waves. It mixed with silver specs that reminded me of stars. It was the single most breathtaking thing I had ever seen—ever experienced.

An ancient power radiated from both of us, intertwining and joining the starry sunlight.

Nova’s eyes were wide, and she closed them, tilting her head back. Silent tears streamed down her face.

What shrouded us felt like my power, but different. I understood it, but it was a mystery.

The similarity of shifters and the difference of species.

But we were more similar than different.

And we were coming back together as maybe was intended to be since the beginning.

The power between us crawled higher into the sky, shooting from us like a beam. Hers felt like gold and mine silver, and they danced around each other until they combined and pierced the clouds in one combined burst.

The wind dropped from around us, I realized Nova and I had reached for each other, and we were standing back in reality, holding hands.

The pulse of our joint lingering power ran over the others and into the lands beyond in a wave, bending the grass and leaves in its wake.

Something inside me shifted. Something in the world shifted.

We were bound together.

Nova and I had undone and remade something that was never meant to shatter, something always meant to be.