Always And Forever | ENG ✓

Epilogue: Two Years Later

The forest was alive with the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves, the wind carrying the scent of fresh earth and blooming wildflowers. The land, once scarred by darkness, had fully healed, its vibrant energy a testament to the resilience of nature and the strength of those who had fought to protect it.

Two years had passed since that fateful battle, and as I stood at the edge of the pack's territory, watching the sun rise over the horizon, I felt a deep sense of peace. Life had not returned to what it was before—because we had grown, changed, and rebuilt something far stronger than what had been lost.

The pack thrived in ways I could not have imagined back then. The wolves moved with a quiet confidence now, their laughter and voices filling the air as they went about their routines. Our numbers had grown—not just with new members who had found a home here, but with the next generation of wolves, born into a world no longer overshadowed by fear.

The pups were the heart of our future, their playful yips and tumbles a constant reminder of why we had fought so hard. Watching them, I couldn't help but smile. They didn't know the darkness we had faced, and that was exactly as it should be. Their lives were filled with light, with hope, and with the bonds that tied us all together.

Kaelen's voice broke through my thoughts as he approached from behind, his steps quiet but sure. "You've been out here a while," he said, his tone warm as he came to stand beside me. "Thinking about the past?"

"Not just the past," I replied, turning to meet his gaze. "The future, too. How far we've come."

Kaelen smiled, his hand brushing against mine, a simple but grounding gesture. "We've built something strong, something lasting. And it's because of you."

"Because of us," I corrected, leaning into him slightly. "I couldn't have done any of this without you."

The pack's strength extended far beyond Kaelen and me. Dean had stepped fully into his role as a leader, his experience and wisdom a guiding force for the younger wolves. Keira had grown into a fierce protector, her strength matched only by her compassion. And Ace—Ace and Cellie had become a cornerstone of the pack, their bond inspiring those around them to believe in love and connection.

The scars of the past hadn't disappeared, but they had faded, woven into the fabric of who we were now. The darkness we had faced had shaped us, but it no longer defined us. We were stronger for it, more united than ever.

The pack gathered in the central clearing as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Today was a day of celebration—a reminder of what we had overcome and what we had built together. As Kaelen and I stood side by side, watching the wolves laugh, talk, and play, I felt a quiet joy settle in my chest. We had done this. Together.

I stepped forward, addressing the pack. "Two years ago, we stood on the edge of uncertainty. We didn't know what the future would hold, but we fought. We fought for our home, for our family, and for the future we dreamed of. And now, look around you. This land, this pack—it's stronger than ever because of what we've built. Together."

The pack howled in response, a sound of triumph and unity that echoed through the forest. Kaelen's hand tightened around mine, his smile mirroring the pride in my chest.

But even as the pack celebrated, a shadow of unease flickered at the edges of my mind. It was faint, like a whisper carried on the wind, but it was there—a reminder that peace was fragile.

As the celebration wound down, I walked back toward the edge of the forest, Kaelen by my side. The laughter of the pack faded into the background as we stood together, watching the horizon.

"Do you feel it too?" I asked, my voice quiet.

Kaelen turned to me, his brow furrowing slightly. "What?"

I hesitated, the words catching in my throat. "It's nothing," I said, shaking my head. But the truth was, it didn't feel like nothing. The peace we had fought for, the future we were building—it all felt too perfect. And deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.

Later that night, as the pack settled in, I stood alone at the edge of the clearing, my senses sharp, my instincts on edge. The air felt different now—charged, like the calm before a storm. The shadows of the forest seemed deeper, the silence heavier.

And then, I heard it.

A faint sound, barely audible over the rustling of leaves. A low, guttural growl, distant but unmistakable. My heart leapt in my chest as I turned toward the forest, my eyes scanning the darkness.

"Kaelen," I called, my voice steady but urgent.

He appeared at my side almost instantly, his posture tense. "What is it?"

"I don't know," I admitted, my eyes still locked on the forest. "But something's out there."

As we stood together, the sound came again, louder this time, closer. The forest seemed to hold its breath, and the unease that had flickered at the edges of my mind surged to the forefront.

"Call the others," I said, my voice firm. "We need to be ready."

Kaelen nodded, his expression hardening as he turned to sound the alarm. As the pack stirred, their howls ringing out in the night, I felt a cold shiver run down my spine.

The peace we had fought so hard for was about to be tested. And whatever was coming—it wasn't going to wait.