CHAPTER 20
A NEW DESTINY
One year later, the Wolf Kingdom gathered beneath the Moonstone towers.
Elyan stood before the people.
Aldric placed the royal crown upon his head.
The kingdom bowed.
But Elyan immediately removed the crown.
He looked toward Elena.
"Power means nothing if it cannot serve the people."
The crowd cheered.
Elena stepped forward.
Her silver mark shone beneath the moon.
She raised her hand.
The Moon Voice carried across every territory.
Not a command.
A promise.
We remember.
Thousands answered.
We stand together.
Aldric watched from the steps.
His family had become something he never believed possible.
Not perfect.
Not untouched by the past.
But united.
Later that night, Elena walked through the palace gardens.
Aldric found her beside the ancient tree.
"Leaving?"
She smiled.
"Thinking."
"About what?"
"How strange it is."
"What?"
"That I spent my whole life believing I was nobody."
Aldric looked at her.
"You were never nobody."
"I know that now."
She looked toward Moonstone Hall.
"I used to think destiny meant having something chosen for you."
"And now?"
"Now I think destiny is what you choose to do with what you're given."
Aldric nodded.
"Wise."
Elena smiled.
"I learned from a stubborn king."
He laughed.
It was the first time she had heard him laugh without sadness behind it.
Beyond the garden, wolves howled.
Not in warning.
In celebration.
The lost heirs had returned.
The kingdom had found its memory.
And the future no longer belonged to the shadows.
It belonged to those brave enough to create it.