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Things start moving quickly once my parents wake up. For starters, Karina's pack is completely dissolved. We also come to a decision for the ruling of the South and the North, because after seeing his daughter awake, my grandfather decides to stay with her, announcing his retirement. At the same time, he also announces, without even consulting me, that I am to be the new ruler of the Central Alliance.

On the one hand, it feels slightly flattering that everybody wants me in their corner. That feeling lasts only a few seconds, however. I can't be pulled in three different directions. The decision we come to is to have a Council to rule all three alliances. The only catch is that any member of the council cannot be an Alpha. I don't have a problem with that. But it does seem that I’ve swapped one title for another. Now, instead of being the Queen of the South Alliance, I will be the leader of the Council of Three.

The details of this new shift in power take time, and once everything is sorted out, we can finally rest. "So you finally managed to unite all three alliances under one rule?"

I look up at Alex's teasing voice. "If you want to call it that."

He pulls me closer in his arms. "You finally got the answers you needed from your parents?"

I sigh. "It's not very satisfying, but at least I know now. My mother is a little bit crazy so you should watch out for that now that you're stuck with me for life."

Alex snickers. "I don't mind your crazy. So what happened?"

I shrug, leaning against him. "I didn't ask how they met, but they wanted me to know everything. He was a mercenary assigned to a pack in the Central Alliance. He met my mother, sparks flew…"

I chuckle at her description of the fated bond.

"She did something to my blood. But she was so weak after childbirth that the magic got messed up. She had been trying to make my blood toxic to anyone who forcibly tried to attack me. I always thought that my scent was dangerous because of some other reason. But it was simply to keep me safe."

"What about the dark witches and Robert?" Alex probes.

A scowl forms on my lips. "Robert found out that my parents were fated mates. It's as we thought. He couldn't kill my father, so he handed him to the witches. The dark witches we encountered used the blood of men to age in reverse. They kept my father alive for years, using his blood. All they had to do was make sure he was alive."

Impatient, I get to my feet. "Did you know my mother wants to go back to the Central Alliance?"

Alex follows me as I pace. "Is it safe for them?"

"Cyrus is no longer controlling the Central Alliance and he seems more focused on my mother's health than anything. They'll be safe. But I told them they should stay with me but…"

"They need time together as well, Sophia." My mate kisses my temple. "They have their own healing to do. As do we. I think we should leave this place tomorrow—find a better home for us."

"Why not here?" I ask Alex. "I know you want to stay here. I have no more responsibilities to anyone alliance in particular. We can stay here."

"Sophia," Alex begins, "this place is—it's a dead zone. Nothing will ever live here or thrive here. It's only darkness over…"

He doesn't get to finish the sentence because I crouch down and touch the ground with my hand. Magic courses through me, and suddenly, the ground around me begins to glow. Fresh grass sprouts up, and Alex catches his breath. "How is this possible?"

I smile at him.

"Everything is possible. I want to live here, Alex. I want to create new memories here with you. Your pack will never be happy in the South, and I want to be happy with you here. I'll heal this land, inch by inch. What do you say? Should we call this place home once again?"

Alex is pale, and then he swoops me up in his arms, laughing. "You mean it?"

I nod, beaming at the joy in his eyes.

I cup his face, smiling. "A new beginning for us. We deserve that. I want a garden for when we have our first child. My home is where you are, Alex. It will always be where you are. So, let's build it here."

Alex lowers me down till our face are inches apart. "How is it possible that you make me fall in love with you even more every day? How do you know just how to fix every hurt in my heart?"

I kiss his cheek and then his mouth. "Should I ask you the same question?"

As we hold each other, my heart blooms with hope, just like the flower blooming at my feet.

A new future.

A better life.

One filled with love and laughter.