Epilogue

The forest lay silent in the hours before dawn, every leaf and branch steeped in silver light. Shadows stretched long and languid beneath the trees, the air laced with the scent of pine and riverstone. It was in this stillness that Ismeria ran, her silver pelt flashing like liquid moonlight between the trees, her breath steady and her pace unburdened. The ground was soft beneath her paws, cool and yielding. No voices chased her. No chains gripped her. No scream echoed through her mind. For the first time in a lifetime, she ran not to escape, not in fury, but for the sheer joy of movement.

She felt alive. Whole.

Behind her, the sound of footfalls grew louder—effortless, eager—and then Sylas was beside her, his golden-green eyes gleaming beneath his shaggy brow. His coat brushed against hers, a silent tease. She responded with a low, playful growl and nipped his ear as they leapt side by side over a narrow stream.

‘You’re tame tonight,’ he said, voice a lazy r