Chapter 140 Welcome Home

Chapter 140 Welcome Home
Bailey

I wake up to the sunrise bleeding in through the cabin’s colorful lace curtains. Quickly, I dress and walk into the nursery where Jericho is already quietly cooing in his crib. 
I stare at his beautiful, happy face as he looks up at the mobile with little wolves chasing one another above him. I talk softly, telling him he’s a little wolf too as I change his diaper, and then I hear Rian getting dressed in the other room. 
Before long, we're moving through the cabin one final time.
"Lights off?" I ask.
"Check."
"The stove?"
"Cold."
I glance toward the hearth.
Rian follows my gaze. "I already checked. The fire's completely out, and I double-checked all the locks. Everything is safe and secure.”
I smile. "I think we’re all set.”
Once everything is taken care of, I hand Jericho to Rian, and we step into our bedroom. 
I’m a little nervous to do this without Simkah. This is the first time I’ve ever opened the Moonstone Bridge on my own with intentions of using it, and I’m afraid because this isn’t practice anymore, and there isn’t anyone here to save us if I get it wrong. 
But when I lift my hands and call it, the magic answers immediately, like it was already there. And when it comes, it doesn’t feel gentle. It feels like a force, and like the air itself is changing shape around me.
Silver light spills through the room, bright enough to turn the morning shadows pale. Energy rushes through me, familiar and exhilarating, filling every part of me. 
Then the Moonstone Bridge begins to appear. Light unfurls before us like silk caught in the wind. The tunnel stretches outward, growing brighter and stronger with every heartbeat until its walls gleam with flowing ribbons of silver and white.
One moment we’re in the cabin, and the next, we’re in the Alchemist Tower in Silverhide.
All of us.
“We’re home,” I say. 
“Everybody good?” Rian asks, looking Jericho over. 
The baby sticks his tongue out a little, yawns and closes his eyes, completely unimpressed by his mother’s display of magic. I have to smile and give him a kiss on his cheek, then he closes his eyes again, peaceful and happy.
We leave the tower and head into the castle. The moment we're spotted by the staff, smiles spread across familiar faces.
"Luna."
"Alpha."
"Welcome home."
Several members of the staff hurry forward to greet us. A few stop to admire Jericho and how much he’s grown over the last couple of days. 
"It's good to be back," I tell them.
"It is," Rian agrees.
As we reach the main hall, Rian presses a kiss to my temple, handing Jericho to me. 
"I need to get some work done,” he says. 
I groan dramatically, and he laughs.
"It’ll only be a few minutes. I'll meet you in the dining room for breakfast,” he says. 
"Promise?"
"I promise."
He heads toward the war room, and I watch him go for a moment before turning toward the dining room.
The staff greet me warmly as soon as I walk in and sit at the table.
"Welcome home, Luna."
One of the servers places a steaming cup of coffee in front of me before I even ask.
I smile. "Thank you."
"What would you like for breakfast?" she asks. 
"Could you bring us a bunch of scrambled eggs and bacon this morning, please?” 
"Of course, Luna Gray."
She bows and quietly leaves the room, giving me privacy. The moment we're alone, I begin nursing Jericho. He latches on immediately, clearly deciding that breakfast can't wait. I laugh softly and stroke his hair.
Sunlight pours through the castle windows. Familiar voices drift faintly through the halls. It feels so good to be home. 
I lean back in my chair, sipping my coffee while Jericho nurses, and can't help smiling.
There is nowhere else in the world I'd rather be.

Rian

As I wait in the war room, my Beta John arrives with General Ben and the other five warriors I’ve called in because I trust them to lead missions. 
“Welcome home, Alpha Gray,” Danny says, and the others echo it in their own way.
I nod once. “Thank you. It’s great to be back.”
Chairs scrape the floor as everyone settles around the table. The map is already open, but this isn’t a planning session for war. It’s a check-in run. 
I rest my hands on the edge of the table. “You’ll each be taking a team and heading out to different allied packs. This is about checking in, seeing how everyone is doing. I need to know if they’ve seen anything unusual. I want to hear of any signs of rogues, and most importantly, we need any word of Junhera being in the allied territories in any capacity.”
I look around the table. “You’ll also be asking what they need: supplies, support, anything they’re short on, especially Crestwood and Ashvale—they’re in the dead lands, so if they need help, we bring it back. Silverfang goes to Danny,” I say. “Alpha Morris and Luna Ingrid are wonderful people, and their military is just as organized and well trained as ours. Their people work hard and they won’t need much, if anything, so this is just a standard courtesy call. My wife may want to send Luna Ingrid or their twins a gift, so check in with your Luna before you go.” 
Danny nods. “Yes, Alpha. Easy enough.”
“Silverpeak goes to Charlie. You already know their Luna. Luna Erin will most likely need some emotional support, but she’s a very good leader and will not require much else. Be sure to ask if she’s heard anything from Junhera. I’ll send a letter to her with you.”
“Yes sir, Alpha Gray,” Charlie says, and I move on quickly. 
“Ben, you’re heading to Crestwood. They are Alpha Charles and Luna Eloria Dassarian. Be respectful. They’re new allies. We show up as friends.”
Ben answers immediately. “I will be hyper-vigilant, Alpha.”
“Mac, you’ve got Stonebend. They are Finn and Brielle Westwood. They’re good friends and wonderful leaders. Just check in.” 
“Yes sir,” Mac nods. 
“Denise, you’ll take Veilglo. Vivian and Jareth Kane. You’ll like them. Try not to stay forever,” I joke. 
She laughs. “Yes, sir.” 
“Ashvale goes to John. Alpha Lysander is holding a fragile pack together after losing his mate. You go in with respect. No pressure. Just check on them. See what they need. Bring the word back.”
“Just a recap–you want full reports on condition, needs, and any signs of movement from Junhera?” John asks. 
“Yes that’s a perfect summary,” I say simply. “Nothing more complicated than that.”
General Ben nods once. “This is a good run. Keeps alliances tight.”
“That’s the point,” I say.
I look at each of them. “You go, you check in, you come back. That’s it.”
Danny smirks. “Friendly run. Got it. Sounds fun.”
“Exactly,” I say. “But take some good fighters with you. There could be rogues. There might even be signs of the enemy. Who knows what the Blackwoods told Junhera before we killed them? I don’t want a war. I want peace. We deserve it.” 
Everyone nods, and I dismiss them. I head to the dining room to have breakfast with my gorgeous wife and perfect son.
As I enter, I pause for a moment and watch Bailey as she nurses the baby. She’s an incredibly strong and beautiful woman, and I feel blessed to call her mine.
I won’t stop protecting my pack and my family. I’ll be the Alpha they need, now and always.