Chapter 30 - Caleb
The bonfire rises high, stretching towards the sky, breaking into twilight, and throwing shadows across the clearing. With the others around, it’s almost like the space has its own heartbeat, pulsing from camaraderie and connection.
There’s nothing formal about tonight, and that’s exactly how I want it to be. It’s a celebration, one that was thrown together for us. In our name, and for the pack’s success in driving the Wraith Peak pack out.
Even if the future of our island is still uncertain, the danger is behind us for now, and that alone is worth celebrating.
And for the first time, even since I was young, not having the threat of Dawson looming on the sidelines and waiting for his moment to strike makes the land feel settled again. It’s more like the island itself recognizes something has finally fallen into place, and it can breathe again.
My hand lingers against Lila’s lower back as we weave through the gathering, and the contact steadies me more than I ever would’ve admitted before. Her warmth and familiar scent keep me present, even as they spark a touch of longing in me.
Astrid holds my free hand as she half-skips, half-walks forward. A small flower crown rests on the top of her head, given to her by some of the kids she has made friends with recently, and she reaches up every once in a while to make sure it’s still there.
The crowd parts when they see us, and this time, the judgment from before has significantly lessened. It isn’t entirely gone, as expected, but it’s a start. Even some of the more traditional wolves look at Lila less grudgingly. The respect is there, nonetheless.
I nod towards them in acknowledgment, feeling pride stoke inside my chest while I continue, walking with my family by my side.
Lila stiffens instinctively, as if that reflex hasn’t been completely soothed in her yet, but it quickly fades as the others either smile at us or return to their conversations around the fire.
She’s still learning what it means to belong and to be seen.
She isn’t an outsider anymore, and with time, I know it will come more naturally to her.
“It feels different tonight,” I murmur to her.
Lila glances up at me, and the firelight dances across her features. “It’s calmer than usual. Safer too.”
I slide my hand to her waist and give her a gentle squeeze. “That means we’re doing our job well.”
We continue on, greeting a few pack members before Jack appears, welcoming us before gesturing to the open spot in front of the fire.
“The others would like to hear a few words from you,” he says, giving me a slight nudge with his elbow. “If you want to, of course.”
I nod, well aware that making some sort of speech is long overdue, and in a way, I’ve been hoping for this moment. “I think it’s about time I did.”
With that, Jack steps aside, and as I move forward with the girls, I feel the weight of the moment settling on my shoulders. It isn’t heavy, but earned.
Lila and Astrid flank me, earning several warm smiles from the others as we draw their attention. They quiet their conversations, and my voice carries easily over the crackling fire.
“I want to thank everyone for being here tonight, and for celebrating with us,” I begin, taking in the familiar faces of the pack I’ve known my whole life. “Tonight is about strength, loyalty, and remembering what we do it all for.”
A murmur of agreement moves through the pack, and I glance over at Lila, who keeps her chin up, looking exactly the part of my mate and Luna.
“I especially want to thank everyone for protecting my family… for fighting alongside me when it mattered most,” I say, letting my thumb idly brush against Lila’s back while I address the pack.
“And I owe a great deal of gratitude to these two as well. They chose to fight when most would’ve waited for rescue, and not just for themselves, but also for the future of this pack. ”
Some lower their heads respectfully, while others continue to listen, taking it all in without making a sound. A few still hold onto lingering doubts, but they don’t voice them. They know better.
“And because of that, I think it’s time to talk about something long overdue.”
The crowd shifts uneasily, unsure of where I’m about to take things. Lila’s back tightens just enough for me to feel, but I continue those light, soothing motions. I know she’s bracing herself for any potential fallout.
“I’ve come to see that the way we’ve been taught to view magic is… incomplete.”
Discomfort ripples through the space, which is expected. That’s exactly how we’ve all been conditioned for far too long.
It might not be easy now, but at least they’re listening, and that’s better than nothing.
“Magic saved them both,” I say plainly, standing my ground despite their immediate reactions. “It saved my mate, and it saved my daughter. It saved me, too… and if they hadn’t, it’s possible I would be dead. The peace we’ve been trying to preserve would be shattering around us right now.”
A younger wolf nearby furrows his brows as he speaks up. “Magic is forbidden because it’s dangerous.”
“Magic is dangerous in the wrong hands, just like most things,” I reply, tone supportive rather than dismissive.
“But Lila helped me see that by nurturing it, rather than ostracizing it, it can be used to aid rather than to harm. Knowledge will take us farther than fear ever could. I’d rather embrace it and understand it than ignore the uncomfortable truth. ”
Many of them look towards us stiffly, as if trying to dismantle years of learned prejudice on the spot, but something like this takes time and deep exploration. I know that. There are still parts of myself that want to hold onto those views.
Still, nobody speaks.
“Nobody is expected to rush out and embrace what they don’t understand, but I will say this…
our pack will not treat Lila, Astrid, or any other peaceful magic-users as threats,” I add, feeling the hitch in Lila’s breath.
My tone drops to something firm and absolute.
“They are under my protection, and by extension, yours. Magic or no, they are part of our pack.”
Silence follows for a long beat. More than anything, it’s contemplative and wary, and even curious.
Then they begin nodding, as if testing out the idea in their minds. It’s a lot to ask for immediate approval, but with time and patience, I know we can make progress.
And Lila, who had once known only isolation and fear, stands with me, head held high and her hand reaching for mine in overwhelmed gratitude.
Acceptance is something she’s always wanted, and it’s about time I gave it to her.
Astrid smiles, not quite as shy as she looks up. “Am I part of the pack even if I’m not a wolf yet?”
Lila cracks a smile for her, reaching down to gently stroke her hair. “Of course you are, sweetheart.”
She beams at that, looking overjoyed at the prospect.
As I watch them, the two halves of my heart I didn’t know I was missing for far too long, the bond between us holds steady and warm. They are the ones I’ve sworn to protect above anyone or anything else, and that fact will never waver.
When the energy rises again, and we step away from the fire, it shifts to something more lively, and most of the tension ebbs. Some still quietly discuss the topic of magic, obviously grasping to make sense of it, yet nobody causes an uproar. This is a time to celebrate, not cause more issues.
I draw Lila closer to my side, and she leans into me more willingly than she has in weeks, fingers sliding into mine like she’s finally letting herself breathe.
“You handled that well,” she murmurs, taking in my features.
I do the same in return, quietly admiring her. “Did you ever doubt me?”
She smiles. “Always.”
I huff out a laugh, not at all offended by the tease. “Then you’d better get used to being wrong.”
“Don’t get cocky.”
“I’m afraid it’s already too late,” I muse, leaning down to press a tender kiss to her forehead.
Before we can get ahead of ourselves, Astrid wriggles her way between us, looking up with a look bordering on petulant. “Can we eat now?”
Chuckling, I reach down and lift her up, holding her against my hip with an ease that still surprises me, almost like I’ve been doing it my whole life. “Are you hungry, little bug?”
“Bug?” she questions, hand going to her forehead like I’ve missed the mark entirely. “I’m a wolf, not a bug!”
At that, Lila and I both smile, and I give her belly a little poke. “I stand corrected… I hope you’re as hungry as a wolf, then.”
Astrid giggles and nods while we head over to where the food is laid out. Between smoked meats, breads, and salads of numerous varieties, there’s more than enough to go around.
I put everything together while she points out what she wants, looking at some of it with eyes far bigger than her stomach, and when we find somewhere to eat, Astrid insists on ‘helping’ me eat, which involves me wearing more of the food than actually eating it.
But it makes both her and Lila laugh hard enough to bring tears to their eyes, so I don’t really mind.
Eventually, Astrid decides she’s had her fill of both the food and us, and runs off with a few of the other kids, wasting no time celebrating.
Just when I think I’m about to have a nice moment with my mate, the guys approach, all grinning to various degrees.
“If you keep making speeches like that, we might start falling in love with you, too,” Dominic says, needling as always.
“Speak for yourself, I was already there back in our training days,” Luke adds, pretending to swoon while the others grimace and shove at his shoulders. He breaks and laughs.
I scoff, shaking my head at their usual antics. “That’s a decent motivator to never give another one… or worth kicking you out of here for.”
They chuckle, and Hunter crosses his arms. “For what it’s worth, you handled the magic thing better than I expected. Nobody fainted or clutched their pearls, so that should count for something. I’m a little surprised, but maybe you’re onto something.”
“I’m pretty sure one of the elders almost did… but they stuck it out,” Zane murmurs, demeanor cool as usual. He eyes me, seeming a bit wary. “Is this your plan, then? Getting other alphas on the island on board with this?”
Given their expressions, they’re all a bit hesitant about leaning into accepting magic.
They went through similar teachings in their own packs, and they haven’t felt the unbridled warmth of their mate’s magic like I have.
They don’t know the quiet urge to throw every old belief away just for the sake of their daughter.
But maybe one day, they will.
“I’m not banking on it, but outlawing it outright would be a step in the right direction. At the very least, tackling the stigma could be beneficial for everyone.”
“That’s quite the goal,” Luke says, expression too neutral for me to fully read.
“Good luck,” Dominic hums. “Some packs aren’t quite as open as yours.”
I take a breath, glancing at Lila to see her vaguely hopeful expression. While the task is a daunting one, knowing that it might make her life easier helps. “I know.”
Despite the slight heaviness in the air, Zane continues with a breath, “We’ve been talking the last few days, and the group is thinking of heading out soon. We’ll still be on the island for now, so you can shout if you need us, but it seems like you’ve got things handled here.”
Those last few words are more loaded than he lets on, but it’s true.
Things have looked up considerably, and for the first time in a while, I feel I know exactly what I’m doing.
For all the gratitude I have for them and their help, I can’t resist returning the digs myself as I grin.
“Does that mean I might finally get a moment of peace?”
Dominic huffs, grin unshaken. “Doubt it. We’ll be back soon enough.”
“If we know how things work on this island, then I doubt we’ll be gone long,” Luke says with a heavy breath.
“Then be a little sparse about the phone calls, will you?”
At that, the guys all give their retorts, but with good nature, they say their goodbyes before heading out for the night, surely preparing for their next stop.
“You’re not going with them?” Lila asks, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and subtle dejection, as if dreading the thought of me leaving. That alone stirs more pride in me.
“No… I think I’ve done my fair share of traveling already,” I murmur, slipping my arm around her waist from where we sit. “Besides, I think I’m needed here more.”
Lila smiles at that as she looks up at me, then she leans in to press a gentle kiss to my lips. It’s immediately warm and full of promise, immediately settling everything inside me.
“Good, because you are,” she murmurs against my lips, looking up at me with those eyes I’ve always found so bewitching. “I don’t think Astrid would ever forgive you if you did.”
I chuckle, stealing another quick kiss with a hand against her jaw. “You’re right. I couldn’t even consider leaving that face behind for another day. Or this one, for that matter.”
Lila smiles softly, cheeks vaguely blooming with color, while my thumb brushes against her cheek.
Then, as if knowing we were just talking about her, Astrid comes over looking tired. She yawns as I reach for her, scooping her up in my arms.
“Tuckered out?” Lila asks, gently stroking her dark locks.
Astrid nods and curls up between us, pressing against my neck. She stays there for only a few minutes as her eyes droop before they close altogether, and her breaths become soft.
“She feels safe with you,” Lila says gently, expression both gentle and grateful. “So do I.”
“I plan to keep it that way,” I return, tone tender and full of promise. “Always.”
We stay that way for a long while, comfortably taking in the night of celebration as it unfolds around us. I look at them both, well aware that they’ve managed to change my entire life with ease. They’ve helped me rewrite who I thought I was, and who I want to be moving forward.
I’m not just the Alpha, but also a dad, and a mate.
With them next to me, I know I finally have everything.
*****
THE END