Chapter 103 CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE
Chapter 103 CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND THREE
MAEVA
I feel Caius’s eyes following me around the room but I ignore it. Because of the visit from the other shifters, I pushed my visit to my pack until after they left.
“I want go with you,” he says, voice low and rough as he crosses the room to pull me into his arms.
I melt against his chest, breathing in his scent. “I know you want to but this is something I need to do alone. My pack hasn’t seen me since before the attack. They need to hear from me directly without you shadowing me.”
Caius cups my face, his thumb brushing gently over my cheek. “Fine. But be careful. If anything feels off—”
“I’ll find a way to come home immediately instead of engaging with them.” I finish for him, smiling. “I’ll be fine. Luis is driving me, and Taron will be there.”
He kisses me deeply, slow and possessive, like he’s trying to imprint himself on me before I leave. When he pulls back, his eyes are dark with worry and love. “Call me immediately you get there and when you’re about leaving. If I don’t see you here tomorrow morning, I’ll be worried and I’ll come there myself.”
“I will.” I promise, squeezing his hand one last time.
Luis is already waiting by the truck when I step outside. He gives me a respectful nod and opens the back door. I give Caius one last hug before getting into the truck. The drive to my old pack territory feels both familiar and strange. Trees blur past the window as I stare out, my mind replaying everything that’s happened. A strange tinge of fear spreads through me but I ignore it. It’s normal to feel fear after everything that has happed to me but I won’t let it control my life.
When we finally pull into the main clearing of my pack, a wave of emotion hits me. Warriors and pack members stop what they’re doing, turning to stare. Some faces light up with relief. Others look uncertain. I step out of the truck and force myself to stand tall. I can’t afford to be anything but sure. That is what they need at this point.
Taron is the first to reach me. He pulls me into a careful hug, trying to be mindful of my injuries. “Thank the goddess you’re okay. I saw you that night, before they took you inside, I was so scared.”
“I’m sorry I scared you and that I didn’t take your calls. I’m here now.” I say, hugging him back, ignoring Luis’s warning growls.
I step back and raise my voice so the whole gathering can hear. “I’m so sorry for my absence these past weeks. It was not my intention but as you must have heard, my run in with the witches and rogues was a rough one.”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd. Some nod in understanding. An older woman steps forward, eyes misty. “We were worried about you, Alpha. Thank the goddess you came back to us.”
I spend the next hour walking among them, talking to families, checking on the injured from the recent fights, listening to their concerns, and judging pack quarrels they felt needed my judgment. The children run around us, laughing, and for a little while, the heavy weight on my shoulders feels lighter. This is my home. These are my people. No matter how strong my bond with Caius is, this pack still holds a piece of my heart. After that, I sit with the pack elders and leaders.
Taron and I eventually end up sitting on a fallen log near the edge of the training field, catching up properly. He updates me on pack morale, training progress, and small disputes that have arisen in my absence – back talk from those who still do not want me leading them. I laugh at one of his stories about two young wolves fighting over who got to lead a hunting party.
“It feels good to be back, even for a day,” I admit, leaning against his shoulder briefly. “I’ve missed this.”
“We’re glad you’re back, even for a day.” Taron says quietly, studying me. “I understand why he doesn’t want you out of his sight for too long.”
Before I can respond, a familiar and unwelcome voice cuts through the air.
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the runaway Alpha.”
Alpha Kol strides toward us with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Alpha Kol,” I say coldly, standing up and getting in stance for a fight. “How are you here?”
He stops a few feet away, his gaze raking over me in a way that makes my skin crawl. “I heard you were finally gracing your little pack with your presence. Thought I’d come see how things are holding up without their Alpha around much these days.”
Taron tenses besides me, taking a stance too.
“That wasn’t what I asked. I asked you how you are here in my pack without permission.”
Kol’s smile turns sharper. “Soon I will not need your permission to come here. I’m just practicing for when that time comes.”
The bastard! He doesn’t even try to veil the threat he just issued. What is giving him the confidence?”
I step forward, letting my wolf come to the surface. “Are you threatening my pack, Kol?”
He chuckles. “Just stating facts. The strong survive. The weak get absorbed. Since you’ve been too busy playing Luna to Caius, I thought it was the logical line of thought.”
“Get off my land,” I snap, voice ringing with Alpha power. “Now. Before I have my warriors escort you out. Never come back. If you do, I won’t promise that you will leave.”
Kol’s eyes narrow, but he takes a step back, still wearing that smug grin. “Goodbye, Maeva.”
He turns and leaves, casting one last mocking look over his shoulder. I watch until he disappears into the trees, my hands clenched at my sides.
Taron exhales sharply. “He’s getting bolder.”
“Something is giving him confidence,” I mutter. “But we’ll deal with him later.”
I spend the rest of the afternoon with my pack, pushing Kol’s words to the back of my mind. We share a meal, tell stories, and I make sure every person who wants to speak with me gets the chance. By the time the sun begins to set, I feel reconnected, grounded in who I am and where I came from.
The next morning, Luis waits patiently by the truck as I say my goodbyes. I hug Taron tightly. “I’ll be back soon. I won’t stay too long without visiting.”
The drive back is spent in satisfied silence. My pack knows I haven’t abandoned them and Alpha Kol’s pathetic threat only makes me more determined to protect what’s mine.
When we finally pull up to the pack house, Caius is waiting outside. I step out of the truck and walk straight into his arms, letting him hold me close. I feel his relief and happiness through the bond.
“Welcome home,” he murmurs against my hair.
I smile, burying my face in his chest.
Yes. I’m home.