The journey to Crescent Moon felt shorter than Veronica expected. Maybe it was the way Evan’s presence filled the space beside her—solid, reassuring. Maybe it was the way her wolf leaned toward him with every mile, no longer restless, but settled… finally home.
The mountain roads cut through evergreen forests kissed by mist. The landscape shifted slowly—Crescent Moon dense cedar valleys opening into high ridges, where wind danced freely and sunlight spilled like liquid gold over stone.
They crossed the final ridge just as afternoon light struck the heart of Crescent Moon territory.
Veronica drew a soft breath.
Below them lay a valley carved by time—a sweep of green meadows dotted with homes built from pale stone and timber, smoke rising from chimneys like silver ribbons. The central pa
