The Reunited Bond
The gates of Crimson Fang opened slowly, their creak loud in the otherwise still night. As Isla stepped into the pack’s territory, a collective breath of relief swept through the gathered wolves. Warriors who had stood tense and alert for days now lowered their weapons. Pups peeked out from behind their mothers, their wide eyes lighting with joy at the sight of their Luna.
Micah was the first to approach, her sharp healer’s gaze sweeping over Isla. The older woman’s steady hands cupped Isla’s face, tilting her head to inspect every bruise, every line of exhaustion. “You’re strong,” Micah said with a mixture of pride and exasperation. “But you’ve been through too much. You need rest—now.”
“I’m fine,” Isla began, but her voice wavered. The weight of the past days pressed on her, and the brief strength adrenaline had given her began to fade.
Draven appeared then, his presence as commanding as ever, though his amber eyes were softer than the wolves had ever seen. He didn’t speak until the others had cleared the room, leaving only him, Isla, and Micah. “Rest can wait,” he murmured, stepping closer. “I need to see her.”
Micah huffed but allowed it, stepping back with a muttered, “Don’t push her.”
Draven knelt in front of Isla, his broad hands moving reverently to her belly. He froze for a moment, his forehead lowering until it nearly touched the fabric covering her stomach. When he finally spoke, his voice trembled with emotion. “You’re incredible,” he whispered, his tone raw. “All three of you.”
Isla’s eyes filled with tears, and she reached out, her fingers threading through his dark hair. “I knew you’d come for me,” she said softly, her voice laced with both gratitude and exhaustion. “Even when he tried to break me, I felt you.”
Draven looked up, his amber eyes meeting her silver ones. “No one will ever take you from me again,” he vowed. His voice was low, but the words carried the weight of a promise etched into his very soul. “I swear it, Isla.”
She leaned forward, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders as their foreheads touched. For a moment, the world fell away—the weight of Malrik’s schemes, the darkness of the past few days, all of it melted in the quiet power of their bond.
Draven wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, and she allowed herself to relax fully for the first time since her capture.
