Nolan POV
I returned to Silver Fang ahead of Ellie, my shoulder still stiff, my side aching when I moved too quickly. I ignored both.
Lance was ready for the return, I’d called and given him the news as soon as I could. He’d already prepared the packhouse for my return. I know that he would have prepared things for the boys if I’d asked, but I wanted to oversee those preparations myself.
The packhouse loomed the same as it always had—stone and timber, banners snapping in the wind—but something about it felt altered, as though it were holding its breath. Warriors bowed when they saw me, relief flickering openly across their faces. The alpha was home. Injured, yes, but alive. Standing. Still theirs.
That mattered more than anyone wanted to admit.
I could feel the weight of it as they l
