Chapter 141 CHAPTER 141
Sleep came easily.
Not the heavy, restless kind that dragged fear into dreams, but a deep, peaceful drifting—the kind that wrapped the body and mind together and held them gently in place.
Lisa lay curled against Liam’s chest, her cheek pressed just above his heart. His arm was tucked beneath her head, his palm warm against her shoulder, fingers relaxed as if he had forgotten they were there at all. Her breathing was slow and even, lips parted slightly in sleep, lashes resting softly against her skin.
Around them, the flowers still bloomed.
Petals brushed against their bare arms and legs, stirred now and then by a breeze that smelled of grass and earth and something faintly magical. The world felt paused here, as if the realm itself had agreed to leave them untouched for a little while.
Liam opened his eyes slowly.
For a moment, he didn’t move. He only listened - to Lisa’s breathing, to the quiet hum beneath the ground, to the steady rhythm of his own heart.
Then he noticed the others.
A few feet away, Kane lay stretched out on the grass, his large body relaxed but alert. His head was lifted, golden eyes watching them with open, unguarded contentment. His tail rested loosely against the ground, flicking now and then in a slow, easy rhythm.
Beside him, Celia sat on her haunches, posture calm, ears forward. Her expression—if one could call it that - was soft. There was no tension in her stance, no guardedness. Just quiet approval.
Liam smiled faintly.
“When did you two get back?” he whispered.
Kane’s tail flicked once, amused.
“We’ve been here,” Kane replied. “For a while.”
Liam blinked. “And you didn’t wake us?”
Celia let out a low, breathy huff - wolf laughter.
“It was too beautiful,” she said softly. Her voice carried warmth, not teasing yet. “You both looked… settled. We didn’t want to disturb that.”
Kane shifted slightly, lowering his head to rest his chin on his paws. His ears tilted back in playful agreement.
“And besides,” Celia added, a hint of mischief creeping in, “you looked very… tired after everything.”
Liam frowned slightly. “If you’re talking about the magic, I’m fine. The effects wore off already – I feel fine now.”
Celia’s shoulders shook as she let out another huff, this one clearly amused.
Kane lifted his head again, eyes bright. “I don’t think that’s what she meant.”
Understanding dawned slowly.
Liam’s face warmed instantly.
He glanced down at Lisa, still asleep, and lowered his voice further. “How did you…”
Before he could finish, both wolves responded at once.
“We share a body,” Kane said, with a tone of amusement.
“And a mind,” Celia added gently.
Kane’s tail thumped once against the ground. “How would we not know?”
Liam stared at them, mortified and helplessly amused all at once.
“That’s… deeply unfair,” he whispered.
Celia’s ears flicked in satisfaction.
At that exact moment, Lisa stirred.
She shifted slightly, her brow creasing as she woke, then blinked her eyes open slowly. The first thing she saw was Kane’s amused gaze and Celia’s knowing stillness.
Her face flushed instantly.
“Oh no,” she murmured.
She buried her face against Liam’s chest without hesitation, arms wrapping around him as if she could disappear there.
Celia’s voice softened. “It’s all right.”
Kane let out a low, approving rumble – content to see his human so happy.
“We’re happy for you,” Celia continued. “After everything that’s happened… it’s good to see joy still find you.”
Lisa peeked out cautiously, cheeks still pink. “You really are?”
Celia nodded once. “Truly.”
Lisa hesitated, then pushed herself up slightly, meeting Celia’s gaze. “You won’t regret this? Because I chose him even though the goddess….?” Her voice trailed.
Celia didn’t answer immediately.
She shifted her weight, thoughtful, tail curling loosely around her hind legs.
“I don’t think so,” she said at last.
Kane lifted his head, ears pricking. “And who knows,” he added casually, “something else might be growing.”
Celia shot him a look - but didn’t deny it.
Liam and Lisa sat up together instantly.
“What?” Lisa demanded, scrambling to her feet and crossing the short distance to Celia. “You can’t say that and not explain. What happened when the two of you ran off?”
Celia rose smoothly, brushing past Lisa with a flick of her tail. “We talked.”
“That’s it?” Lisa pressed.
“Mmmhh… about the future, and our hopes for it.” Celia replied.
Lisa turned to Kane. “And what was that about hope?”
Kane’s ears twitched. “Hope is…. There’s hope for the two of us.”
Lisa’s eyes widened as she stared at Celia. “Is that true? Would you consider him for your future? Did you change your mind?”
Celia paused, then looked back at Kane.
“I never said I wouldn’t.”
Something shifted between them then.
Something real between all four of them – the reality of a future together staring at them.
“We should get back now.” Liam finally announced.
They began walking together, steps falling into an easy rhythm. Laughter bubbled up, soft and genuine. The bond between them felt warmer, fuller - threads weaving tighter with each shared moment.
And then…
Liam stiffened.
His steps slowed.
Lisa felt it instantly. “What is it?”
Liam closed his eyes briefly. “Ethan.”
The bond pulsed - urgent, troubled.
You need to come back, Ethan said. Things have escalated.
Liam’s jaw tightened.
I’ll be right there.
The warmth in the air seemed to thin.
“We have to go,” Liam said quietly.
Celia’s ears flattened slightly - not in anger, but disappointment. Kane rose to his feet, posture sharpening.
“We’ll meet again,” Liam promised. “In the human realm.”
Kane nodded once. We’ll rejoin you.
Liam took Lisa’s hand firmly.
The portal shimmered into existence.
They stepped through.
The training ground greeted them with stone and stillness. The weight of the human world settled back into place- but the wolves were there, present within them.
They ran.
Straight to the palace.
Ethan stood waiting, Nolan and Celestine beside him.
Liam didn’t waste time. “Did I make things worse when I healed Kane? Is this the price for using magic?” He asked anxiously.
Ethan shook his head. “No. Nothing like that.”
He met Liam’s gaze steadily. “One of the kidnapped Red valley boys was returned. Dead.”
The words landed heavy.
“Dropped on the outskirts of Red Valley Park,” Ethan continued. “Reed sent word.”
Liam exhaled slowly. “That changes everything.”
“Yes,” Ethan said. “Your training can’t remain passive.”
Lisa stepped closer to Liam, her hand slipping into his.
“This isn’t just about power anymore,” Ethan finished. “It’s about time.”
Liam looked around - at Ethan, at Nolan, at Celestine.
Then at Lisa.
She squeezed his hand. “You’re not alone. This is a battle for all of us.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her close. Wanting to feel her warmth once more – the only anchor he had, in all the chaos.