Chapter 187 Leaving Blackwood

Chapter 187 Leaving Blackwood
Ivy POV

The morning after the final council gathering, Blackwood felt quieter. Most of the Alphas had already started their journeys home.

Cars lined the front drive, luggage filled the trunks, and wolves moved between the buildings with the easy pace of people who no longer expected trouble.

I stood at the edge of the courtyard and watched them leave. For months, this place had been the center of my life. It had held my fears, my anger, my secrets, and more battles than I ever wanted to remember.

The first time I had walked through those gates, I had been terrified of what waited inside. Now I could stand there without feeling that same fear.

Caden came to stand beside me. His shoulder brushed mine."You keep looking back."

A small smile touched my lips. "I think I'm getting used to being able to."

He looked toward the gates. "What does ordinary look like for you?"

The question made me pause. Before everything changed, I had wanted a simple life. University. A career. A home. Maybe a family someday. Those things had once seemed so normal that I never imagined I could lose them.

"I want to finish my psychology degree," I said. "I want a home in New York. I want mornings where the biggest problem is burned breakfast."

Caden laughed."That sounds familiar."

I smiled before continuing."I want to marry you. I want children someday. I want to grow old without wondering who is coming for us next."

His expression softened.

"A house outside the busiest part of the city," he said. "A garden. Maybe a dog."

"Definitely a dog."

He smiled. "A family. Quiet mornings. Nights where the worst thing we have to deal with is you stealing the blankets."

"I don't steal them."

"You do."

"Prove it."

His laugh warmed me. Then his expression grew serious."And us?"

I looked at him.

"We already know what we are," he continued. "I just want to hear you say it."

The bond rested between us, warm and steady.

"I choose you," I said. "Not because of the bond. Not because we were destined to find each other. I choose you because I love you."

Something warm moved through the bond.
The feeling brought a smile to my face, but the meaning went deeper than that. If the bond disappeared tomorrow, I would still make the same choice.

Caden reached for my hand."I choose you too."

Before leaving, I walked through Blackwood one last time.The garden was the first place I went. Maya stood near the flowers, watching two young wolves argue over where to plant a new tree. When she saw me, her smile faded into something softer.

"You're really leaving."

"I am."

She crossed the distance between us and pulled me into a hug."Go live your life, Ivy."

I held her tightly.

"We'll be fine," she whispered. "You don't have to keep checking on everyone."

"I know."

"You gave us the chance to stand on our own. Let us do it."

That made my throat tighten."You're going to make me cry."

Maya laughed against my shoulder."Good. I want one last emotional victory."

I pulled back, wiping at my eyes."You are impossible."

"And you're still my sister." She hugged me again."No matter where you go."

"I know."

Lucas waited near the main entrance with Caden. When I approached, he pulled me into a quick hug before turning to Caden.

"You take care of her."

Caden smiled. "I intend to."

Lucas narrowed his eyes."That wasn't a suggestion."

"I know."

"Good."

Sera joined us, shaking her head at both of them."The two of you are ridiculous."

Lucas grinned. "Someone has to keep him in line."

Sera looked at me."The pack will always be here. But you don't need to come running every time something goes wrong."

"I'll try."

"Don't try. Do it."

I laughed. For once, leaving did not feel like abandoning anyone.These people had learned how to stand without me. That was the best thing I could have hoped for.

Maya came running toward us before we reached the cars."Wait!"

I turned. She threw her arms around me.

"I forgot something."

"What?"

"One last hug."

I laughed as she squeezed me."That was your third."

"I know." She pulled away and wiped her eyes."Now go."

I nodded."I will."

Caden opened the passenger door for me before walking around to the driver's side.
Once inside, I looked through the window at Blackwood.

The main hall stood behind the trees. The garden stretched along the side of the compound. Wolves moved through the courtyard, talking and laughing as they went about their morning.

Nothing looked broken anymore. Nothing needed me to fix it. Caden started the engine. For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then he reached across the center console and took my hand."Ready?"

I looked at the road ahead. The sky was clear, and sunlight spilled across the mountains. Blackwood would always be part of my story, but it no longer held me there.

"For the first time," I whispered.

The car pulled away from the gates. I watched the compound through the rear window until the trees hid it from view.
No fear followed me. No unfinished duty waited behind me.

Only gratitude.

The bond warmed beneath my ribs as Caden's fingers tightened around mine.
New York was waiting. So was the life I had almost forgotten I wanted.

And this time, I was going home by choice.