A soft breeze rustled through the trees as the new dawn rose over Dark Ash territory. The forest, once shadowed by fear, now shimmered with early sunlight and calm energy. Life had shifted — and so had the pack.
Sienna stood before the training grounds in her Luna sash, watching young wolves spar playfully. Laughter filled the air. Her heart, once heavy with shame and uncertainty, felt light for the first time in years.
Sage approached from behind. "How does it feel, Luna?"
Sienna smiled. "Strange. Wonderful. Mine."
Sage chuckled. "It suits you. Strength doesn't always roar, child. Sometimes, it grows quietly."
Sienna looked around. "And sometimes, it has to fight like hell for its place."
Later that day, Daemon found her tending to the young tree they had planted together. Its leaves shimmered silver-green — a symbol of rebirth.
Daemon knelt beside her. "They want us to move into the Alpha's estate."
"I like our cottage better," she said. "The one near the river."
"So do I," he agreed. "Besides, power should never be so far from the people."
He pulled a folded piece of parchment from his pocket — the last page of the prophecy, untouched and unburned.
"I thought you destroyed it," she said.
"I kept one line," he replied, pointing.
"Only those who challenge fate shall find freedom beyond it."
She traced the words, then let the parchment go. It caught the wind and flew off into the sky — light as a feather, forgotten as fear.
That night, the pack celebrated beneath the full moon.
Children danced. Wolves howled in joy. Mates kissed freely, unafraid of destiny or doom.
Daemon held Sienna close as they watched the stars above.
"We were never cursed," she whispered.
"No," he said. "We were tested."
She leaned into him. "And we passed."
Together, they howled — not as Alpha and Luna, not as fated souls bound by prophecy.
But as two people who had chosen love.
And in that choice — they were finally, completely, free.