Royal Secrets & Beastly Desires

18. Echoes of Battle: The Return

                            🌓🌙🌓🌙🌓

As the fire crackled and the pack continued to share memories of the warriors lost and stories from past battles, Braken felt a sense of comfort wash over him. The ache in his side was becoming a distant thought, overshadowed by the warmth of friendship and the bond they shared. He knew that while the physical wounds would heal, the strength they drew from each other would remain.

After a while, the stories began to dwindle, and the pack settled into a comfortable silence, each member lost in their thoughts. Braken gazed at the stars above, a blanket of shimmering light that felt like a protective canopy over them. It was peaceful, he allowed himself a moment of reflection and let Draiden take over once again.

"Are you alright?" Michael, his trusted beta, asked, noticing Draiden's slight grimace. The concern in his voice was evident, and Draiden appreciated the brotherly instinct.

"I'm fine," Draiden replied, forcing a smile. "Just a little sore is all. It'll pass."

Michael raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "You pushed yourself out there. It's okay to acknowledge you took a hit. We all did. You need to take care of yourself too."

Draiden sighed, knowing his beta was right. "Alright, I may have taken a few more hits than I'd like to admit," he conceded with a chuckle. "But I'm not going to let a little ache stop us from celebrating. We earned this moment. They deserve to rest a bit while we wait for Heavy rescue"

Another pack member tossed a piece of leftover meat from their earlier hunt onto the fire, sending up a plume of savory smoke. "Draiden, you should eat something. It'll help with the pain," Michael suggested, his tone teasing yet sincere.

Nodding, Draiden reached for a piece of the meat, savoring the flavor as it melted in his mouth. The warmth and sustenance were exactly what he needed.

He thought about the battles he had fought, the losses they had endured, and the victories they had celebrated. In that moment, felt the weight of his dual nature—both man and wolf. Each side of him was an integral part of who he was, and in this moment of stillness, he embraced the harmony between the two.

In his wolf form, he felt the primal instincts coursing through him—the powerful urges to protect, to hunt, and to bond with his pack. But as Draiden, the man, he also felt the complexities of leadership, the weight of responsibility, and the burden of his choices. It was a delicate balance, one that he navigated daily.

"Thinking too hard again?" Michael's voice broke through Draiden's reverie, pulling him back to the present. He turned to see his beta leaning against a nearby tree, arms crossed and a knowing smile on his face.

"Just reflecting," Draiden admitted, his tone light. "You know how it is."

Michael chuckled softly. "Yeah, but you can't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone. You've got us. We're in this together, remember?"

Draiden nodded, gratitude swelling in his chest. "I know. I appreciate that. It's just... sometimes I wonder if I'm doing enough. If I'm the leader this pack deserves."

"Stop that," Michael said firmly, stepping closer. "You're exactly what we need. You fight for us, you protect us, and you lead with your heart. That's more than enough. Just look at what we've accomplished together. We've come so far."

As Draiden took in Michael's words, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The battles they had fought were not just for territory or dominance; they were for each other, for the bonds they had forged through shared struggles. The scars they bore were badges of honor, reminders of their resilience.