novelxo Chapter 215
Chapter 215 DANE I look down at the glowing runes on my chest , still too warm to seem quite real .
Yeah , I say , but the heaviness of Liriens words clings to the back of my mind .
The grove is well , but at what cost remains to be seen .
The pack steps into the resurgence of life forced onto the grove .
Their eyes were wide in features still covered with some incredulity , they slowly went inside the clearing , looking between shining trees and restored roots .
Beautiful , someone finally whispers , breaking the awed silence .
Lirien stands at the edge of the clearing ; his form now is much more solid , nearly human .
The glow emanating from inside the grove steadies it , lending him an air of quiet authority .
The curse is broken , he states with solemnity .
Now , for once , the pack can fully flourish as it deserves .
Aurora releases my hand and steps forward .
Her eyes scan the grove , pride , and anguish wrestling for dominance in their vibrancy .
Chapter 215 2/6 Lirien cocks its head to one side .
The grove has accepted your sacrifice , it says .
But your mortal ties to the pack have saved you .
The balance is restored , and your bond is no longer required to sustain it .
I watch the tension that has weighed on Auroras shoulders since this began to ease a little , her shoulders relaxing , and for the first time in days , she seems at peace .
The pack closes in , voices rising as talk starts about what this means to all of us .
Gone is the weight of the curse , and with it the divisions that plagued us for generations .
I see Piper laughing with Warrick , the two of them trading .
banter like none of the horrors we faced just happened .
Trajan stands a little distant , his expression guarded , his guilt loud in the way he refuses to meet anyones gaze .
Ill make it right , he mutters , to himself , not to anyone else .
I dont approach him .
Not yet .
Aurora steps back to my side , her hand brushing mine as we leave the grove behind .
The pack starts to follow , their footsteps lighter , their voices brighter .
The walk back to Broken Ridge is different .
The air is clear , the tension that once clung to us like a second skin gone .
By the time we finally reach the packhouse , the ruins that once spoke of our brokenness dont seem quite so impossible .
Chapter 215 3/6 The wolves scatter , their spirits buoyed as they start to speak of rebuilding .
One step at a time , I mutter to myself , and for once , the thought doesnt feel overwhelming .
I was now out in the garden at the back of the packhouse with Aurora , a lot later in the night .
The ground was damp beneath our feet , smelling of earth and greenery mixed with cool night air .
She sat beside me on a stone bench , her fingers interlaced through mine .
For a while , we say nothing ; the silence speaking for us .
She reaches up then , presses her hand to my chest , tracing the runes with her fingers where they glow in the moonlight .
Does it hurt ? she asks , her tone soft .
I shake my head , offering a small smile .
Not anymore .
She nods , her gaze falling to the joined hands between us .
I dont know what this means for you , she admits .
But I do know you didnt choose it .
I squeeze her hand tighter .
Neither did you , but you carried it anyway .
So can I .
Her lips curve in a faint smile , even as her eyes remain serious .
Well figure it out together .
The moon rises higher in the sky and long shadows throw their way across the garden .
Chapter 215 onto it anyway .
4/6 We sit in silence until a faint howl cuts through the stillness .
Its low and mournful , the kind of sound that raises the hairs on the back of your neck .
Aurora stiffens beside me , snapping her eyes toward the horizon .
You hear that ? I nod , my chest clenching .
Yeah .
We rise , and our senses sharpen as we gaze out into the dark outside the packhouse .
The howl isnt repeated , but the unease it leaves in its wake does .
What was that ? she whispers , barely audible .
I dont know , I admit , my hand instinctively going to the hilt of my blade .
The garden feels different now , the peace wed found moments .
ago replaced by a creeping tension .
The grove is healed , but something else is stirring .
The glow of the grove stretches across the horizon , bathing everything in silver light .
The trees , once twisted and corrupted , now hum with life , their Juminous fruit swaying gently in the breeze .
I stand next to Aurora , her hand clutched tight in mine .
Chapter 215 5/6 Shes pale and seems to be exhausted , with only shallow breaths escaping her mouth , but the relief in her features mirrors mine .
We did it , she mouths , her voice trembling a little in disbelief .
I look down at the faintly glowing runes on my chest, their heat still alien to me .
Yeah , I say , though the weight of Liriens words clings to the back of my mind .
The grove is healed , but it remains to be seen at what cost .
Slowly , the pack arrives , lured in by the renewed energy of the grove .
Faces of awe , or those of disbelief , step into the clearings ; eyes scan through the glowing trees , restored roots .
Its beautiful , someone whispers , the stunned silence broken .
Lirien stands at the edge of the clearing ; now its form is more solid , almost human .
The glow of the grove seems to steady it , putting an air of calm , reassuring authority into its words .
The curse is lifted , he says in his grave tone .
Now the pack can prosper as it should have .
Aurora lets go of my hand and takes a step forward .
Her eyes scour the grove , her face unreadable pride and sadness .
Chapter 215 Lirien tilts its head to one side .
The grove has accepted your sacrifice , it says .
6/6 But your mortal ties to the pack have saved you .
The balance is restored , and your bond is no longer required to sustain it .
I watch the tension that has weighed on Auroras shoulders since this all began slowly easing as for the first time in days , she finally looks at peace .
Their voices rise one after another , speaking to what it will mean to every one of us , the weight of the curse that for the first time in generations has vanished along with the divisions that plagued us .
The pack closes in .
I see Piper laughing with Warrick , both of them teasing back and forth , like the terror we just survived never happened .
Trajan stands a little aloof , his face closed .
Guilts there in the way he avoids looking at anyone .
Ill make it right , he mutters , more to himself than to me .
I leave him be … For now .