The compound appeared at the road's end like it always appeared — not dramatically, not with announcement. The specific shape of the buildings through the tree line, the warmth of the pack bond clarifying as the distance reduced, the particular quality of the light through familiar trees.
Five hundred wolves, feeling the Alpha King and the Luna returning.
The bond warming in the specific way of a community whose center has come back.
Rowan's thread — which had been faint and low throughout the summit, a constant I had held onto across the miles — suddenly bright and specific and entirely present.
Alert.
Awake.
Already registering the quality of the approaching warmth.
I pressed my hand to the car window as if I could close the remaining distance through it.
"Almost," Darius said. H
