Chapter 176 CHAPTER 176

Chapter 176 CHAPTER 176
Two weeks passed in a strange, delicate rhythm. The pack house settled into its new life, the rooms filling with warmth and laughter, the halls echoing with footsteps and quiet conversations. And slowly, so slowly, Elara barely dared to hope, Talia began to thaw.

At first, she spoke only in whispers. Small words, short answers, and mostly to Elara, sometimes to Kaelan. She stayed close to them, shadowing their movements through the house, always watching, always listening, but rarely initiating anything herself. She slept in her new room every night, though Elara often found her curled on the rug beside their bed in the mornings, as though she had drifted toward them in her sleep.

But today, something shifted.

Elara was brushing her hair in front of the mirror when she heard soft footsteps behind her. She turned to find Talia standing in the doorway, her hands clasped in front of her, her expression hesitant but not closed off.

“Elara?” she said quietly.

Elara set down her brush. “Good morning, sweetheart.”

Talia stepped into the room, her eyes flicking briefly toward Kaelan, who was pulling on his boots by the wardrobe. “Can we… do something today?”

Elara’s heart lifted. “Of course. What would you like to do?”

Talia hesitated, chewing her lip. “Something with the pack.”

Kaelan straightened, surprise flickering across his face. “With the pack?”

Talia nodded. “I think… I want to try.”

Elara crossed the room and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “They’ll be so happy to see you.”

Talia looked down. “I don’t want them to make a fuss just over me.”

“They won’t,” Elara promised. “We’ll make sure it isn’t focused on you.”

Talia hesitated again. “What do packs… do? Together?”

Elara smiled softly. “Well… we’ve actually been waiting to have a celebration. For the new pack house. Complete with decorations, food, music, and lots of dancing. A proper party.”

Talia’s eyes widened, a spark of excitement breaking through the lingering numbness. “A party? Really?”

“Yes,” Elara said, her smile widening. “And if you want to help, I know they’d love that.”

Talia’s voice brightened. “Can I? Help with everything?”

“Absolutely.”

Kaelan’s voice brushed through Elara’s mind through the mind‑link. “I’ll call the pack. We can ask for volunteers to meet in the dining hall?”

“Yes,” she replied. “Let’s make this special for her.”

Kaelan closed his eyes briefly, sending the message through the pack bond. When he opened them again, he smiled. “A few volunteers are on their way.”

The dining hall filled quickly. Rowan and Jade, the new twin wolves, arrived first, their energy buzzing as always. Vael followed with his usual quiet grace. Kieran, June and Emmy burst in next, hand in hand. Emmy was already chattering about decorations. Ana, Mira and Seren entered next, carrying a basket of supplies. A few of the older pack members, wolves and vampires alike, filed in behind them, offering warm smiles and nods.

Elara felt Talia stiffen beside her at the sudden crowd, but she squeezed her hand gently, whispering. “You’re safe. And you’re not alone.”

Talia nodded, taking a small breath.

Kaelan stepped forward. “Thank you all for coming. We’re finally ready to celebrate the new pack house. Today we’ll set everything up, and tonight we’ll have the party.”

A cheer rose from the group.

Elara smiled. “We’ll need decorations, food, music, and space. So let’s divide tasks.”

June’s hand shot up immediately. “Decorations!”

Emmy bounced beside her. “Yes! We want to do the decorations!”

Talia hesitated, then lifted her hand slowly. “Can I… help with that?”

June beamed. “Of course you can!”

Emmy grabbed Talia’s hand. “Come on! We have so many ideas!”

Talia glanced at Elara for reassurance. Elara nodded. “Go on. Have fun.”

Talia allowed herself to be pulled away, a small smile tugging at her lips. Elara’s heart warmed. If anyone can get her smiling, it would be little Emmy.

The older pack members gathered around Vael to discuss food, what to cook, what to bake, and what to prepare ahead of time. Vael took notes with surprising enthusiasm, noting all the instructions they provided.

Kieran, Ana, and the twins began moving tables, clearing space for dancing and gathering. Darius and Lyra helped string lanterns along the hall walls. Mira and Seren stood in the centre of the room, their hands raised, murmuring softly as threads of magic wove through the air.

Elara watched as the ceiling transformed into soft, glowing lights appearing like stars, then shifting into delicate strands that resembled the night sky, casting warm, enchanting patterns across the room.

Emmy gasped as she jumped up and down. “It’s beautiful!”

Talia’s eyes widened, awe softening her features. “It looks like the sky.”

Mira smiled. “That was the idea.”

Seren winked. “We can make them change colours later.”

Elara moved through the room, helping where she could, tying ribbons, arranging flowers, adjusting lanterns. Every so often, Kaelan would pass by and press a kiss to her cheek or brush his hand along her back, sending warmth through her chest. Emmy kept trying to pull her into little games, and Elara indulged her when she could, laughing softly as the girl darted around the room like a whirlwind.

But her eyes always drifted back to Talia. She was working with June and Emmy, carefully hanging garlands and arranging small decorations along the tables. She wasn’t talking much, but she was smiling. And every time she smiled, Elara felt something inside her loosen.

Hours passed in a warm, bustling blur. By the time they finished, the dining hall had transformed into something magical. Lanterns glowed softly along the walls, starlight magic twinkled overhead, and the tables were arranged in a way that made the room feel open and inviting.

Lyra approached Elara with a grin. “I got us all dresses.”

Elara tilted her head slightly. “All of us?”

“Yes,” Lyra said proudly. “The girls. For tonight. You’re not allowed to say no.”

Elara laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

She turned to Talia. “Would you like to get ready with us?”

Talia hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. I’d like that.”

The women gathered in Elara and Kaelan’s room, Lyra, June, Emmy, Mira, Seren, Ana, Arden, and Talia. Dresses were laid out across the bed in a rainbow of colours and fabrics. Laughter filled the room as they tried on outfits, styled hair, and shared makeup.

Elara chose a red dress, which came to just above her knees; she knew Kaelan would like it, while Talia chose a soft lavender dress that fell just below her knees, the colour bringing out the warmth in her skin. June helped do her hair, weaving small flowers into the strands. Emmy dusted her cheeks with a hint of shimmer.

When Talia looked in the mirror, she froze.

Elara stepped behind her, resting a hand on her shoulder. “You look beautiful.”

Talia swallowed hard. “I… I feel different.”

“In a good way?” Elara asked gently.

Talia nodded. “Yes.”

When they descended the stairs together, music was already playing, soft at first, then swelling as they approached the dining hall.

The doors opened, and the celebration began.