Chapter 72: New Path

Claire’s POV

The fires had burned out, but the scars remained.

Redwater had won, but I did not enjoy the taste of victory. It was a broken Midnight Moon, its warriors scattered or dead. All that remained of the place where I had lived was ashes and rubble. In addition, I had a question that was bothering me like an open wound after the devastation.

Now what?

My life had been defined by survival for the past year. by taking revenge. through conflict. I had come to this point with every step I had taken. However, I was unsure of my next course of action after the battle ended.

I watched the water rush by in a never-ending current as I stood by the river's edge. It lacked uncertainty and hesitation. It just went ahead.

I hoped I could follow suit.

I was startled out of my reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps.

Derek.

He paused next to me, initially quiet. I did not look at him, but his steady, grounding presence was unwavering.

He finally remarked, "You have been out here a long time."

I nodded without responding.

Derek crossed his arms and let out a breath. "I understand your thoughts."

I laughed without humour. "Do you?"

"Yes." He gave me a look. "You believe that you are unworthy of moving on."

My nails dug into my palms as I tensed up. "You are not understanding."

Derek's head cocked. "I don't?" He spoke in a firm but calm tone. Do you really believe that I have no idea what it is like to bear guilt? to believe that every decision you make will result in disaster?

I tightened my jaw. "This is not the same."

"How?"

My throat constricted.

since I had ruined my own pack. Because there had been good people in Midnight Moon, despite the fact that Jared had been a monster. Individuals who had merely been obeying commands. those with families. People caught in the flames despite having no say in the war.

Derek waited and watched me.

I made myself talk. "I have always aspired to be strong enough to defend myself. I wanted to defend myself. And I did. However, now... I turned to face my hands. "I do not even know what I have become now."

After a brief period of silence, Derek moved in closer.

He remarked, "You became what you needed to be." "You made it through." You kept those who supported you safe. You also prevailed.

I gave a headshake. "How much does it cost?"

Derek's eyes became gloomy. "Which would you prefer—to have lost?"

I took a deep breath. The answer was clear: it wasn't. Redwater would now be in ruins if we had lost. I would not have made it through if Jared had ruled with an iron fist.

Nevertheless, the burden of everything still weighed heavily on my shoulders.

Derek moved next to me. "Claire, the war is over. However, that does not imply that life ends. It implies that we rebuild.

I listened to what he had to say.

Rebuild.

It sounded very easy. But how could I even start after everything I had lost and done?

Derek must have realised that I was hesitating because he went on. Not just the Midnight Moon perished in this conflict. Redwater also took a hit. We lost leaders, homes, and warriors. Do not waste time lamenting the past if you want to put things right. Assist us in creating something better.

I got a lump in my throat.

"You believe I can?" I muttered.

Derek's face became softer. He extended his hand and brushed a flyaway hair away from my face. "I am sure you can."

He had a soft, warm touch.

I ignored the tightening of my heart at his words and swallowed hard.

Even when I did not believe in myself, Derek had always had faith in me.

Perhaps it was time to get going.

The days that followed were busy ones.

Redwater required leaders. Structure was required. Stability was required. And I threw myself into something other than war for the first time in weeks.

We reconstructed houses. bolstered our defences. sheltered the Midnight Moon survivors who had nowhere else to go. I had once been at odds with some of them, but enough people had died in war. Giving them a chance at something different was the least we could do.

And gradually, things began to shift.

It was not simple. Tensions repeatedly erupted as some of Redwater's warriors continued to regard the former Midnight Moon wolves with suspicion. However, Derek and I collaborated to maintain order, and eventually the distinctions between the two packs became less clear.

The Midnight Moon had vanished. Not Redwater.

Only the survivors.

A pack attempting to recover.

And I experienced something that was almost like peace for the first time in a long time.

Nearly.

I ended up back at the river's edge one evening. Gold and red streaks were seen in the sky as the sun started to set.

I allowed the cool wind to kiss me as I slowly exhaled.

I permitted myself to gaze at the future for the first time in weeks.

Not the past. Not the war.

The future.

I was still unsure of its appearance. But I wished to know for the first time.

I was so wrapped up in my own head prior to Derek speaking that I failed to hear the footsteps behind me.

"You are reconsidering."

A little smile twitched on my lips as I slightly turned. "I sometimes do that."

Derek laughed. "Habit of danger."

I rolled my eyes, but something in my chest relaxed because of the lighter tone he used.

We just stood there for a minute, observing the ripples on the water in the dwindling sunlight. Derek said something again, but quietly.

"Claire, you will be fine."

The honesty in his eyes took me aback, and I involuntarily gasped as I looked at him.

"Do you really think so?"

 I asked.

Derek hesitated not at all. "I am certain of that."

A sense of warmth swept over my chest.

Perhaps, possibly, he had been correct.

But I had caught a glimpse way off as I turned to look again at the river. Something standing close to the fringe of the trees.

watching.

A shiver went down my back.

I straightened, trying to see the features in the fading light, my heart racing.

Derek looked after me. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath.