“I want to come back to the manor,” I breathed. “I realize I should be who I was meant to be. A Rustpire Luna. The Alpha Ronin’s daughter. The heir of the Rustpire.”
“Isolde—”
“I know I escaped. I know I wounded the pack. But I understand now. I understand the bloodline, our name, our magic.”
I gripped the communicator. “I will start from the scratch. I will study everything. Every single thing I should know.”
“Isolde, do you know where you are now?”
“Lower city… in my mate’s tower. Axton’s territory.”
“Don’t go anywhere.” His tone hardened, the command of a High Alpha layered with lunar steel. “I’m transporting an escort.”
***
A sleek black moon-carriage rolled to a stop fifteen minutes later, propelled by silent enchantments.
The moon-carriage door opened, and someone popped his head out— he was Calder, getting older now, with silver hair at his temples, but smiling the same warm smile he’d given me since puphood.
“Little Wolf of Rustpire,” he said, straightening his mantle. “Welcome home.”
My throat tightened. “Calder. You’re still with the pack.”
“Where else should I belong? They’re waiting for you.”
He held the carriage door open with a familiar, reverent gesture.
I slid inside the enchanted leather interior. The scent—pine resin, polished steel, and old magic—flooded me with memories.
As we sped away from Axton’s tower, the city lights blurred like streaks of starlight through the windows. Every mile carried me closer to the life I had abandoned.
The Rustpire Manor rose behind its iron-wolf gates, towering like a fortress carved from moonstone. Calder stopped before the grand steps where two figures waited. My parents.
I jumped out, my knees weakened halfway up the staircase.
Father’s expression was indescribable—Alpha mask firmly in place—but his eyes burned with something softer. Between pain and relief. Suddenly mother ran so fast towards me.
“Isolde!” She rushed down, velvet robes trailing behind her. She wrapped me in her arms, smelling of winter roses and home. “My little wolf, you came back.”
I hid my face in her trembling shoulder. “I’m sorry, Mother. I truly am.”
As pulling me back, she cupped my cheeks. “Now you’re here. That’s enough.”
I ascended the remaining steps toward Father. His face unreadable, carved from stone. Five years of silence stretched between us like an entire kingdom.