The journey back to Storm territory was quiet. Naida rode in Modric’s arms on the back of a truck, her body exhausted and the fresh claiming mark on her neck throbbing with every heartbeat. The full bond hummed between them—strong, complete, alive. She could feel his wolf’s contentment like a warm blanket over her raw grief. Her father was dead. By her own hand. The chains were truly broken.
Pack members greeted them at the pack house with howls and wary respect. Jax stepped forward first, blood still on his face from the battle. “She killed Elias Knight. Fought like Luna. The pack owes her.”
Murmurs spread. Lena nodded. “She bled for us. Protected our Alpha. She’s one of us now.”
Modric helped Naida down, his hand firm on her waist. His voice carried calm authority. “Naida Storm is you
