Chapter 18

   My mother?

   Her presence surprised me, as I hadn't expected to see her here. There was a mix of emotions swirling within me - a combination of joy, anxiety, and uncertainty. It had been so long since I had last seen her, and our relationship had been complicated.

   "M-Mother," I stammered, my eyes darting between her and the pack doctor, unsure how to react. "Wh-what are you doing here?"

   A soft smile played on her lips as she stepped further into the room. "I heard of your triumph, Isla," she replied, her voice carrying a note of tenderness I hadn't heard in years. "I couldn't stay away any longer. I had to see the incredible warrior and mother you've become."

   Her admission struck a chord within me, reminding me of the years of estrangement that had plagued our relationship. I had grown up longing for her approval, her love, and yet every attempt to reach out had been met with walls and d