Chapter 226 AURORA It was still clinging to my skin , the chill of the night before , when I woke , the vision of the glowing pieces of the pendant fresh .


    Morning light pouring through the packhouse windows , though .


    managed to chase some of the leftover unease away .


    Outside , what met my gaze was a balm of sweet sce to my soul .


    Brilliant blue met the horizon again , bathing the vige in golden warmth from the sun .


    Wolves moved purposefully as they rebuilt , the sound of theirughter and chatter mingled with hammering and sawing .


    Dane was at the tree line , facing off with some number of scouts .


    Rxed shoulders still ; he stands strong , holdingmand withoutmand .


    Hes happy when hes watching me and his easy smiling tugged a deep inner piece of myself in his direction .


    Morning , he offered , the sound of warmth steady as I stepped up and stopped beside him , taking his own sean around the little action scene happening .


    Chapter 226 It is , really , I said smiling just now doing it my way loo .


    2/6 He nodded , his gaze following mine .


    We fought hard for this .


    This time we allow ourselves to enjoy it .


    We spent the morning wandering the vige and making sure things were progressing as well as they appeared .


    Wolves were smiling at us , giving us progress reports .


    The roof on the storehouse is all butplete , one wolf told us , jerking a chin toward the huge structure .


    Should be done by next week .


    And cleaned the rubble out of the eastern fields , one of them added .


    The crops ought to grow healthy once more .


    The pups were further off at y ; their giggles were wafted forward by the breeze .


    The puppies tore through the grass at each other , a never ending sphere of energy .


    One came to me : a little girl ,rge , round eyes with that sense of curiosity , holding onto something .


    For you , Luna , she said in almost a whisper , with great pride in her voice .


    I crouched down and took the gift , lifting it to really look at the wildflower with a grin .


    Thank you , I said softly .


    She beamed before bounding away to join friends .


    Dane watched the whole exchange with a small smile on his lips .


    Chapter 226 You are good with them .


    3/6 They remind me why we do all this , I asked him .


    Why does it matter ? By morning , the whole pack had assembled themselves around the fire pit .


    I stood before them ; my chest heaving with pride as determination was reborn within me .


    Weve been through so much as a pack , I told them , and my voice carried across the clearing .


    We have been through adversity that should have snapped us , broken us .


    But it served only to make us more resilient .


    Their eyes shed , the echo of mine , deep running with that same resolution .


    Let us institute some new traditions now , to keep us this strong , I said .


    Weekly storytelling circles , where our elders can share in their experiences and our history .


    Training curriculums for our younger wolves to develop them into leaders .


    Community projects that encourage bonding .


    A murmur of assent rippled across the tide of faces and broke over me like a wave of relief .


    Dane moved closer , his presence anchoring me .


    And well be expanding our borders to give ourselves room to grow , he said .


    Trajan and a select few will head out to range new territory , Chapter 226 4/6 while Piper puts onbative training sessions for anyone who wants to brush up their skills .


    Great , Piper groaned from the side , sarcasm dripping off the words .


    Because teaching Warrick how to hold a sword was exactly what I wanted to do with my week .


    Warrick shed a grin over his shoulder , crossing his arms over his chest .


    Youll enjoy it .


    Im a fast learner .


    The packughed at that , light teasing lightening up the mood .


    Days passed in one big blur .


    Werewolves fixed training in groups and eating out beneath open sky .


    Late that evening , the two of us finally took some time away from the trees .


    The sun had gone down , but oranges and pinks streaked across the sky .


    He took my hand , his thumb tracing over my knuckles .


    Youve done something amazing here , he said softly .


    We did something brilliant , I corrected , catching in on him .


    We stood infortable silence and watched the starse out one at a time , then Dane turned into me , searching for the very first time , nervous .


    Ive been meaning to do this for some time , he started , his hand reaching into his pocket .


    Before I could fathom what he was referring to , much less what Chapter 226 the thought implied , he pulled out an exquisitely crafted diamond bracelet from his pocket .


    5/6 Aurora , he said , firmness in his voice but a slight quake in his hand .


    I have always thought of you as my Luna .


    But now I want you to be my wife .


    I caught my breath , and for a moment , uttering a word was beyond my capacity .


    The sincerity of his eyes , the way in which , with that one word , his voice gentle , the emotion overwhelmed.


    me .


    Yes , I whispered , my voice shaking just a little .


    Yes , Dane .


    Of course .


    He slipped the bracelet onto my wrist , and I flung my arms around him , drawing him close .


    Word mustve gotten out fast , because within a heartbeat or two , there was a celebratory party tossed together by the pack .


    There was food and drink out of nowhere , and music danced on air .


    Dane and I danced under the moon , his firm hands on my hips , swaying into rhythm .


    The pack cheered and jeered ; theughter was contagious .


    Piper and Warrick joined in though Warricks dancing left a little to be desired .


    Is that supposed to be a spin ? Piper giggled , barely suppressing the urge to burst intoughter .


    Chapter 226 Im improvising , he shot back , grinning despite himself .


    Even Trajan rxed , his richughter booming across the clearing as he watched the pups reenacting events of the past weeks in melodrama style .


    It was during this final quieting of the party that somehow I found myself on the ridge , staring down at the vige .


    6/6 The firelight from below cast a gold glow over treetops ; the long darkness capered over the ground .


    Dane joined me , his hand slipping into mine .


    What are you thinking about ? For the first time in a long time Im thinking about the future , I said , About what we can build here .


    He nodded , his eyes soft .


    Wevee a long way .


    I leaned into him , feeling the strength andfort of his presence .


    We have .


    But I looked down to the still vige below and saw something in my vision , a smooth , almost not there shake of the forest .