The storm had passed.
But the land still shook from its memory.
Blood stained the castle walls. Cracked stone split the courtyard. And the sky, though healed, still glowed faintly with the echo of the veil's disruption—like the kingdom itself was holding its breath.
Vireya stood at the window of Kael's war chamber, barefoot, wrapped in nothing but a loose black robe that clung to the sweat on her skin. Her hair was half-braided, the rest wild from battle, still streaked with dried blood.
Below, warriors gathered the dead.
She didn't cry.
She didn't flinch.
She just watched.
Because this was the cost of her name.
Of her power.
Of what it meant to be a red wolf reborn.
Behind her, Kael stirred in the bed—his first deep rest since the battle. She'd carried him here herself after healing him. Refused to let anyone else touch him.
Not even Iska.
And when Theoron tried to argue?
She growled.
And he backed the fuck down.
She hadn't shifted back since.
Not really.
She wore skin now, but Ashira was awake—fully and forever. Vireya wasn't alone anymore.
She'd never be again.
The door creaked.
She didn't turn.
"Knock next time," she said quietly.
Iska's voice followed, dry as ever. "I did. Twice. You were busy brooding like a dark sorceress."
Vireya sighed. "What is it?"
"You've got visitors."
"If it's the council, they can wait. Or die. Dealer's choice."
Iska actually laughed at that—sharp, proud. "Not them. Not yet. It's the people."
That made her turn.
"What people?"
Iska stepped forward, gaze serious now. "Your people. The ones who saw what you did. The ones who lived because of it. They're waiting outside the gates… They want to see you."
"I'm not a queen yet."
"You're something worse," Iska muttered. "You're hope."
Kael woke just as she was lacing the leather around her wrists. He sat up fast—too fast—and groaned.
"You shouldn't move yet," she said, softening her tone.
"You shouldn't be going out there alone."
She turned to him. "I won't be."
He stared at her. Hard.
"You felt it too," she whispered. "When I changed. When Ashira fully took hold."
Kael's eyes darkened. "It was like watching the world decide to take sides."
Vireya nodded once, slowly.
"I need them to know who I am. All of me. Not just your mate. Not just some cursed thing the council fears."
Kael stood despite the ache in his body and walked to her.
He took her face in both hands.
And kissed her forehead.
"You are the Queen. Not because of me. But because of you."
The courtyard was silent when she stepped out.
Then someone dropped to one knee.
Then another.
And another.
Within seconds, the entire field of warriors, civilians, old wolves and young—all lowered themselves before her.
Vireya stood tall.
Her hair wild. Her skin glowing faint with residual magic. Her eyes bright sea-glass and burning.
And for the first time, she saw it.
Not fear.
Not awe.
Not even worship.
Loyalty.
Unasked for. Undeserved.
But offered.
Kael appeared beside her, draped in a black cloak, still pale but regal as ever.
When he took her hand?
The crowd howled.
A cry of unity.
Of war-readiness.
Of belonging.
Later that night, in the privacy of their chambers, she sat on the balcony again this time with Kael at her side and Iska stretched across the floor like a smug cat with wine.
Theoron leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching them all.
"This isn't the end," Iska said, twirling her glass.
"No," Kael said. "It's the beginning."
Vireya looked at them all.
Then down at her hands still trembling with the power that refused to settle.
"They'll come for us again."
Kael nodded. "Let them."
Iska grinned. "I hope they bring snacks."
Theoron groaned.
But Vireya?
She looked out at the kingdom.
The air smelled different now thicker, sweeter, aware.
Her senses were sharper. The heartbeat of the land thrummed in her spine. The veil though not fully lifted bent to her touch now.
She could feel the guardians still watching from the forest edge but HER forest edge… the one that lived in the magic of the veil that could only survive in the forbidden forest.
Waiting for the enemies to return.. because although that had won this battle she knew in her gut that there was still a WAR to be won.
She was never supposed to survive.
But she did.
And now?
She was no longer just alive.
She new she was chosen.