Chapter 13. A Place That Could Be Home

The drive back from the village was a blur of silence and speed. Kaelen drove with relentless purpose, his presence beside Mira a solid anchor against the emotional chaos that had shattered her in the square. She had fallen asleep during the ride back, exhausted by the emotional collapse.

Kaelen carried Mira through the quiet camp, which lay hushed beneath the pale watch of the moon. Most of the wolves had left for the celebration, leaving the tents in silent rows. He didn’t wake her. He crossed to the bed and knelt down slowly, lowering her with practiced gentleness onto the thick layers of furs and blankets.

He draped his suit jacket around her shoulders, whispering, “Keep that on until I get the fire started.”

She stirred faintly, eyes fluttering open in slow confusion. The first thing she registered was the absence of pain. The terrible throbbing pressure that was the sound of her binding breaking was quiet, soothed by Kaelen’s constant proximity. She had lived