Chapter 170
Fiona's POV
Three days later, at dawn, the mist over Dawn Harbor had yet to fully lift.
I stood at the edge of the dock, craning my neck to gaze up at the massive vessel before me—the Ignis. Her crimson sails blazed like fire in the morning light, her hull painted ivory white, her prow carved with intricate wolf totems and moon emblems. On deck, sailors bustled about loading supplies while the captain personally inspected navigation charts, occasionally raising a hand to direct adjustments to the sail rigging.
"Fiona, don't stand so close—you'll fall in." Mother Jenna's gentle voice came from behind me.
I stuck out my tongue and obediently stepped back a few paces, though I couldn't help rising on my tiptoes to keep watching. Julian wore simple traveling clothes today, a rare departure from his formal attire, his golden hair stirring slightly in the sea breeze. Ella wore the pale dress I'd carefully chosen for her, cradling the bouquet of wild lilies in her arms, her eyes holding both anticipation and a trace of unease.
"Ella, remember to rest. The sea swells might make you uncomfortable," Walter advised, handing her a small protective charm. "Jenna wore this when she went to sea years ago. May it keep you both safe."
Ella accepted the charm, her eyes reddening slightly. "Thank you, Alpha."
"Don't be so formal. You're Julian's mate—that makes you family," Mother Jenna said, patting her hand.
I couldn't contain myself any longer and bounced forward to grab Ella's hand. "Sister-in-law, you have to bring me back presents! I heard Free Haven has lots of beautiful shells and pearls!"
Ella laughed, some of the tension leaving her eyes. "All right, I'll bring you the prettiest ones."
The boarding plank had been lowered, and sailors were making final preparations. Watching Ella, I couldn't help recalling how she'd looked when she first came to Silver Moon—always keeping her head down, timid as a frightened fawn. Now she could stand before us with confidence, and though uncertainty still flickered across her face at times, a resilient light had begun to shine in her eyes. She had become someone I admired.
"I'll take good care of her," Julian said gently, drawing Ella close. "And I'll enjoy this journey. When we return, I'll cook everyone a seafood feast myself."
"I'll look forward to that," Father said, a rare note of humor in his voice.
Ella turned and crouched down to meet my eyes. She touched my hair tenderly. "I'll bring you back the most beautiful shells, little princess."
My face flushed instantly, and I pouted. "I'm not a little kid!" But even as the words left my mouth, my eyes grew moist. I didn't want them to see me cry—that would be too embarrassing.
The red sails rose slowly, and the Ignis began to pull away from the dock. Father and Mother soon turned to leave, but I remained standing on the pier, waving with all my strength. Sunlight stretched my shadow long across the planks as I watched the ship recede, my heart filled with happiness for my brother and sister-in-law, tinged with just a small measure of reluctance.
Just as I was waving, a loud clang sounded behind me.
I let out a startled shriek and whirled around. A short goblin had emerged from behind the stacked cargo crates on the dock. His skin was grayish-brown, copper rings dangling from his pointed ears, a worn leather messenger bag slung across his back. He was covered in dust and sweat, clearly having traveled a great distance.
The dock guards immediately surrounded him, spears leveled.
"Halt! Don't move!" the guard captain barked.
The goblin hastily raised both hands, his voice hoarse. "My name is Grim! I was sent by Kane Price of the Thunder Wolf Pack to deliver an urgent letter to His Highness Julian and Lady Ella!"
He carefully extracted from his messenger bag a letter wrapped in coarse linen, its wax seal partially crumbled.
My heart began to race. A letter from Kane?
I rushed forward and snatched the letter from the guard's hands, tearing it open without hesitation. The handwriting was somewhat hurried, but the content made my eyes go wide:
"Blood River Pack leader Louis is preparing to attack Free Haven, targeting potential wind elemental power. Louis has already mastered lightning elemental force and possesses bone spears capable of absorbing and neutralizing elemental magic. If he successfully seizes the wind element, the entire continent will face catastrophe. —Thunder Wolf Pack Leader, Kane Price"
My hands began to tremble, and I clapped them over my mouth involuntarily. This was a warning from Kane!
I jerked my head up toward the horizon. The Ignis had become a tiny red dot, slowly disappearing into the skyline.
"No—" I instinctively ran toward the dock's edge, waving my arms with all my might and shouting, "Julian! Ella! Come back!"
But the sea wind swallowed my voice, and the ship continued its departure.
"Quickly!" the guard captain ordered. "Send our fastest messenger ship after them!"
The harbormaster shook his head, his expression grave. "Sir, the Ignis is our fastest vessel, and with the wind at her back right now, there's no way to catch her..."
My heart sank like a stone.
The guards exchanged helpless glances. I clutched the letter tightly, my knuckles white with the force of my grip. Kane had risked his life to send this warning, but it had arrived too late to reach Julian and Ella.
I stared at that shrinking red dot on the horizon and murmured, "Now... we can only trust the two of them."
The sea breeze tousled my hair, and morning light scattered across the rippling water. I held the letter close, silently praying that the Moon Goddess would keep them safe.
[End of Part One]
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Dear readers,
As we close the first part of this journey, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you who has followed Ella, Julian, Kane, Dorothy, Ivan, Chloe, and the wolves of Silver Moon and Lightning Wolf Pack packs through their trials and transformations. Your patience, encouragement, and engagement have meant more to me than words can convey. Thank you for walking this path with me, for investing your time and hearts in these characters, and for believing in this story.
Part Two will be crafted with the same care and attention, though I ask for your continued patience as I bring the next chapters to life. The journey ahead will be worth the wait, I promise.
In the second part, we'll explore new territories and face new dangers. The first volume will take us to Free Haven, where Julian and Ella's honeymoon becomes something far more perilous than either anticipated. Mysteries, elemental powers, and the looming threat of Louis will converge in this coastal sanctuary—a place that may prove to be neither free nor safe.
The second volume will then shift to the Stone Ridge Pack, where Kane's quest for identity and redemption continues. In the underground city of Ironhold, ancient secrets, political intrigue, and the weight of elemental legacy will test not only Kane and Dorothy's bond, but the very foundations of what it means to build a home worth fighting for.
Thank you again for your unwavering support. Until we meet again in Part Two, may the Moon Goddess watch over you.
With gratitude and anticipation,
Harper