Chapter 64 Feast

Chapter 64 Feast
Cain POV
The feast took hours to prepare, but the maids worked with more excitement than I had seen in a long time. Word had already traveled through the pack. The king had returned. Finn was dead. Peace was restored. And tonight was a celebration for everyone.
By the time the sun dropped completely, the feast hall was glowing with warm lights. Rough wooden tables were lined with meat, fruits, bread, and sweet wine. Warriors sat shoulder to shoulder. Elders took their seats at the long table. Laughter filled every corner of the room.

It had been a long time since this hall felt alive.

Ava sat beside me at the head table. Her hair was brushed, her face glowing softly under the lights. She looked happy, calm, finally. She picked up an apple from the bowl in front of her and began munching on it slowly, like a child enjoying a treat.

She looked peaceful.

For the first time that day, I allowed myself to relax a little. Not completely, never completely but enough to breathe.

She swayed happily in her chair, swinging her feet lightly under the table. Every now and then she glanced up at me with a small smile, the kind of smile that softened something in my chest.

Around us, warriors cheered and raised their cups. Meat was being passed around. Someone started playing music from the corner. It wasn’t fancy or polished, just simple drums and wooden flutes but it filled the hall with energy.

Ava took another bite from her apple and leaned closer.

“I very much enjoyed myself today,” she said with a bright voice.

I looked down at her, studying her expression. She was truly happy. Not pretending. Not forcing it. It was real.

“You should,” I said, letting my eyes soften a little. “You deserve it.”

Her cheeks warmed, and she looked away shyly, but her lips curved into a small smile.

After what felt like an hour, I pushed my chair back and rose to my feet.

Instantly, Ava stood too.

I turned, watching her follow me without hesitation. She held her half eaten apple in one hand, her other hand close to my arm, as if she didn’t want to be too far.

A small smirk touched my lips.

So my female was clingy.
Good.

I walked out of the feast hall and down the stone corridor. My footsteps echoed lightly in the hallway. Ava stayed close behind me, trying to match my pace even though her steps were much smaller.

When we reached the lower hall, two guards bowed and opened the door to the pack doctor’s chamber.

The room was warm, filled with herbs and low lantern lights. The doctor had left the space for privacy, but Ryan and Raven were still inside.

Ryan was lying on the bed, covered with a soft blanket. He looked better already. His color was returning, and his body didn’t seem as weak as earlier. Raven sat beside him, holding his hand, talking and laughing softly with him. Their bond was strong. Mate to mate.

Good.
I liked seeing my warriors heal in more ways than one.

Ryan noticed us first. He tried to sit up straighter but winced slightly.

“Alpha,” he greeted, nodding his head respectfully.

Raven’s eyes lit up, and she smiled at Ava before turning to me and bowing her head.

I stepped closer to Ryan’s bed.

“How do you feel?” I asked.

Ryan let out a soft, tired laugh. “Alive, my king. And that is already more than I expected this week.”

His voice held humor, but also truth. He had suffered under Finn. Starved, tied, nearly forgotten. But he was still here.

“Good,” I said. “You will recover quickly. The pack needs you.”

“And I need the pack,” Ryan replied with a small smile. “Thank you… for bringing everything back.”

I nodded once, accepting his gratitude silently. I didn’t need praise. I only needed order restored.

Beside me, Ava moved forward with excitement all over her face.

“Raven!” she called softly.

Raven stood and rushed into Ava’s arms. The two females hugged tightly, giggling like children. Raven pulled back and held Ava’s hands.

“You look so different,” Raven said. “Happy. Relaxed.”

Ava touched her stomach lightly without thinking, and I saw Raven’s eyes widen slightly. She didn’t ask, smart woman but she understood something had changed.

Ava laughed again and hugged Raven once more.

Their giggles filled the chamber, and Ryan watched them with amused eyes.

I folded my arms and leaned against the wall, observing them quietly. Even though I wasn’t good with emotions, I understood something important: peace wasn’t only about the throne. It was also this, these moments of connection, healing, and joy.

Raven brushed Ava’s hair behind her ear and whispered something that made Ava cover her mouth in embarrassment. Probably a question about me.

Ava’s cheeks pinkened, confirming my suspicion.

Ryan glanced at me and grinned weakly. “Women,” he said softly.

I allowed the corner of my mouth to lift just a bit. “Yes. They are loud when they are happy.”

“And dangerous when they are not,” Ryan joked.

“True,” I replied.

For a moment, everything was calm. No battle. No blood. No fear. Just laughter and warmth.

I watched Ava with Raven, her bright smile, her relaxed posture, the glow in her eyes. She fit in this world. She fit with these people. She fit beside me.

And she was carrying my heir.

The thought settled deeply inside me, silent but powerful.

Soon enough, Raven turned back to Ryan, helping him lie back comfortably. Ava returned to my side, slipping her hand into mine without asking. Her fingers were small and warm.

I didn’t pull away.

“Are we leaving now?” she whispered.

“Soon,” I answered. “Let them rest a little more.”

She nodded and leaned lightly into my arm.

Ryan looked up at me again. “Alpha… thank you. For everything.”

I gave him a simple nod. “Recover. That is your only task right now.”

He nodded back with a grateful smile.

Ava waved happily at Raven and Ryan before stepping back toward the door beside me.

The guards opened the doors for us, and as I walked out with Ava following close behind, I felt the palace settle into a new kind of peace.