Chapter 166. Return to Nightfang

Alison’s POV

The sky was blushing with shades of amber and gold as we reached the Nightfang border. The forest smelled different, cleaner, sweeter somehow. The war was over, and for the first time in what felt like forever, peace hung thick in the air. I felt Simone’s arms squeeze me in a final hug as we approached the edge of Crimson Pack territory.

“I’ll be fine from here,” Simone promised, forcing a smile, though her eyes glistened. “You saved us, Ali… go home you need to rest.”

I swallowed hard, nodding, my throat tight. “I’ll come see you soon.”

“Promise?”

“Promise. Tell my father I’d come by later”

And with that, she turned and disappeared into the trees.

By the time Xander and I made it to the Nightfang courtyard, dusk had started creeping in. The warm orange glow settled over the stone walls and the scent of the pack filled my lungs. Familiar… comforting… mine.

Elders, pack members, and Xander’s mother, Katherine, were a