Kael carried her all the way to the heart of the pack.
The packhouse stood tall and grand, its walls humming with the presence of generations past. Wolves watched as the Alpha's powerful form approached—carrying not a warrior, not a dignitary, but a healer.
A girl.
Asha.
As soon as they reached the packhouse steps, Kael lowered himself gently, and she slid off his back with practiced ease. The moment her feet touched the ground, eyes turned sharper, whispers fluttered louder—but she barely had time to react.
Because someone was already walking toward her.
A woman. Elegant. Poised. Eyes like Kael's, only softer. She was wrapped in a cloak lined with silver embroidery, her hair streaked with moonlight age and grace.
Before Asha could take a full step back, the woman embraced her.
A full, real embrace.
Not forced. Not formal.
Just warm.
Soft arms. A heartbeat close to her ear. A scent like home and herbs and memory.
Asha froze. Her body tensed—
but her mind betrayed her.
Because for a split second…
It felt like her mother.
Like the hug she hadn't felt since she was nine.
The one she'd buried deep beneath healing potions and lonely nights.
When the woman finally pulled back, her eyes were wet.
"My name is Mirena," she said, voice trembling. "I'm Kael's mother. The former Luna."
Asha's breath caught.
Mirena touched her cheek softly. "I heard what you did. How you saved my son. Gave him his wolf back. Held him when the rest of the world would've left him to die."
She smiled, but there was steel behind her words.
"This entire pack is indebted to you."
Asha blinked, unsure what to say. Heat bloomed in her chest, but the years had taught her to deflect.
So she smiled faintly and said, "Anybody in my place… would've done it."
Mirena chuckled softly and whispered, "No, dear. They wouldn't have. That's why you're here. And why you're different."
Kaels pov
As soon as Kael shifted back, the guards rushed forward, heads bowed, towels in hand.
"Alpha," one of them said respectfully, holding out a black towel embroidered with the Eastern Moon crest.
Kael dried himself quickly, wrapping it around his waist.
But before he could even step toward Asha—
She was gone.
Well… not gone.
Just claimed.
By his mother.
He looked up to see her—Mirena, the former Luna—practically glowing as she guided Asha up the steps of the packhouse, her arm looped through hers like they were long-lost best friends.
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered under his breath, "Of course."
From where he stood, he could hear snippets of their conversation:
"You're so beautiful, Asha. What's your skincare secret? Moonlight and healing mist?"
"How old are you, darling? Oh, that's such a lovely age. Still young enough to blush, hmm?"
"If Kael ever hurts your feelings—come straight to me. I'll handle him."
"Would you call me Mama? Just once? Try it. You have the sweetest voice."
Asha, wide-eyed and smiling awkwardly, was being dragged from room to room as Mirena proudly pointed out everything from the antique mirrors to the massive indoor herb storage.
Kael blinked, then huffed a laugh.
She hadn't even been in the house for an hour… and his mother had already adopted her.
"Good luck, little wolf," he muttered, watching her get pulled into the kitchen.
With that, he turned and headed toward the west wing—toward his father's chambers.
When he entered, the older man looked up from his seat by the window.
The former Alpha was still regal, still sharp, but age had finally caught up with him in the little ways: slower movements, deeper eyes.
"Kael, my boy," he said, voice gruff. "Where is Asha?"
Kael blinked, then let out a playful growl.
"Seriously? She hasn't even been here a day and you all have already forgotten about me?"
His father smirked.
"We've had you your whole life. She's new, mysterious, and—frankly—she healed my grandson."
"Grandson?!" Kael scoffed.
The old man winked.
"Your wolf counts, doesn't he?"
Kael groaned dramatically and collapsed into the chair beside him, shaking his head.