Chapter 225

Chapter 225
Stella's POV

The first snowflakes of autumn drift over Frostpeak as our convoy of sleds crests the final ridge. Behind me, the Black Ice Bay fortress shrinks to a dark smudge on the horizon, its obsidian walls no longer a symbol of dread but a conquered relic.

The air here smells of pine and woodsmoke, a welcome contrast to the metallic stench of the Council's stronghold.

Kai rides beside me, his gloved hand resting on my knee. Our sled dog, a massive white husky named Glacier, pants clouds of steam as it trots through the fresh snow.

The camp comes into view: longhouses with smoke curling from their stone hearths, children chasing each other through the snow, and warriors sharpening blades outside their tents—not in preparation for battle, but out of habit, now softened by the weight of peace. A cheer rises as we approach, rippling through the camp like an aurora. Warriors drop their tools, children abandon their games, and soon we're surrounded by a sea of fur-clad figures, their faces split by grins.

"Alpha! Luna!" A young warrior claps Kai on the back, nearly knocking him off the sled. "You did it! The Council's gone!"

Kai laughs, a deep, rumbling sound I haven't heard in months. "We did it," he corrects, pulling me close. "All of us."

I smile at the crowd, feeling the cub kick gently as if greeting the familiar voices. Women rush forward with baskets of smoked fish and warm mead, pressing them into our hands. An elderly healer, whose son fell in the first assault on Black Ice Bay, takes my hand and kisses it, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Luna. Thank you for bringing our boys home."

The gratitude in her voice makes my throat tighten. I squeeze her hand, unable to speak. So much loss, so much pain—but it was not in vain.

Over the next few days, the camp transforms into a celebration. Furs are hung between longhouses, decorated with ribbons of silk looted from the Council's stores. A massive bonfire is lit in the central square, its flames dancing higher than the tallest warrior. Warriors who once fought side by side now trade stories over cups of spiced ale, their scars glinting in the firelight like medals.

In our tent, Kai and I finally find a moment of peace. The space has been cleaned and furnished with extra furs, a cradle made of bent willow branches waiting in the corner. Kai sits beside me on a pile of polar bear pelts, his arm around my shoulders, as we watch the snow fall outside.

"Freya said the healers estimate the cub will come in two or three moons," I say, placing a hand on my belly. The movement is more pronounced now, the little one's kicks strong enough to leave faint imprints on my skin.

Kai leans down, pressing his ear to my stomach. "Hey, little storm," he murmurs. "You ready to meet the world? Your mother and I have big plans for you."

I laugh, threading my fingers through his hair. "What sort of plans?"

"Adventures," he says, looking up at me with a grin. "Like chasing ptarmigans across the tundra, learning to howl at the aurora, and—most importantly—annoying your old man."

I roll my eyes, but my heart swells with warmth. "You mean taking after you?"

"Exactly." He kisses my belly, then moves up to kiss my lips. The taste of mead and woodsmoke lingers on him, a reminder of the celebration just outside our tent. "I can't wait, Stella. To see their eyes, to hold them... to build a life here, in peace."

"It sounds too good to be true."

"Not anymore." Kai tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "We earned it."

Before I can respond, a knock sounds on the tent flap. "Kai! You in there, you old wolf?" It's Erik, his voice booming. "Bjorn and I have a cask of the good stuff—come drink with us!"

Kai groans playfully, but there's a gleam in his eye. "I suppose I can't leave them waiting." He stands, adjusting his tunic. "Will you be alright here?"

"I'll be fine," I say, waving him off. "Go celebrate. You deserve it."

He bends to kiss me again, long and slow, before ducking out of the tent. The sound of his laughter blends with Erik's and Bjorn's as they head toward the bonfire.

Alone in the tent, I lean back against the furs, feeling both content and restless. The cub shifts, as if echoing my mixed emotions. Peace is here, but so is the reality of what comes next: healing the wounded, rebuilding what was lost, and...

Another knock interrupts my thoughts. "Stella? It's Kaya and Freya."

"Come in," I call.

Kaya enters first, followed by Freya. Kaya's face is lined with exhaustion, but her eyes are bright as she takes in my relaxed posture. "Ah, there you are, dear. I was worried you'd be out in the cold, entertaining everyone."

Freya grins. "She was probably trying to escape Erik's singing. The man can howl, but it's not music."

I laugh. "I was just enjoying the quiet."

"Which is exactly what you need," Kaya says, sitting beside me. She places a hand on my belly, her touch gentle. "The healers say you need to rest now, more than ever. The cub is growing quickly, and your body has been through a lot."

"I know," I say, though a part of me resists the idea of slowing down. After months of action, stillness feels strange.

Freya sits on my other side, her ice axe propped against the tent wall. "Don't worry, we'll handle the celebrations. You just focus on getting ready for the little one."

Kaya nods, her expression turning serious. "Speaking of getting ready... there's something else we need to discuss."

I raise an eyebrow. "What is it?"

Kaya exchanges a glance with Freya, then takes a deep breath. "Now that the Council is defeated, the clans will look to you and Kai for leadership. But more than that... they'll want to honor the role you've played in this victory."

I frown, not sure where she's going. "Honor?"

"Yes," Kaya says, her voice firm.

"Stella, you're not just the Alpha's mate. You're the one who rallied us, who led us through the storm—both literally and figuratively. The clans want to hold a coronation for you. A ceremony to officially name you their Queen, in front of all the people."

My heart skips a beat. A coronation? The idea is overwhelming.

Freya squeezes my hand. "You deserve it, Stella. You've earned it."

I look from Freya to Kaya, seeing the sincerity in their eyes. The cub kicks again, as if adding their own approval.

"I... I need to think about it," I say, my voice slightly shaky.

"Of course," Kaya says, patting my hand. "There's no rush. But it's something to consider. The clans need a symbol of hope, now more than ever. And who better than you?"

She smiles, then stands, motioning for Freya to follow. "Get some rest, dear. We'll talk more later."

As they leave, the tent falls silent again. I stare at the empty cradle in the corner, then down at my belly. A coronation. It feels like a dream, but the warmth in my chest tells me it's real.

Maybe Kaya is right. Maybe after all we've been through, it's time to embrace this new role, just as I'm embracing the new life growing inside me.

The snow continues to fall outside, soft and steady, as I lean back and close my eyes. Tomorrow, I'll think about coronations and clans. Tonight, I'll just listen to the cub's heartbeat and imagine the future we've fought so hard to build.