Chapter 97 — Healing the Heart of the Pack
The vial trembled between Dr. Boyd’s fingers, the weight of it more than glass and liquid. It was hope — distilled and gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights of the med-bay. I stared at it, unable to look away. My breath caught in my throat as Liam’s hand tightened around mine, grounding me.
"We did it," I whispered, my voice breaking under the tidal wave of emotion crashing through me.
"No," Luther said, his deep voice rumbling through the silent room. His hand slid across my back, resting over my heart. "You did."
Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. Now wasn’t the time for tears. Now was the time for action.
"How many doses can you make?" Liam asked, stepping forward, his Alpha presence firm and commanding.
Dr. Boyd’s eyes gleamed with something I hadn’t seen in him for weeks — pure, untainted hope. "I have enough to start with the worst cases," he said. "Within twenty-four hours, I’ll have more. Enough for everyone, if the infection hasn't advanced too far."
"And if it has?" Rowan asked from the doorway, arms crossed, his warriors standing silently behind him.
Dr. Boyd’s face darkened, but he didn’t flinch. "Then we may not be able to save them. But we will try."
The room buzzed with restrained energy — hope and dread twined so tightly together it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other began.
I squared my shoulders, pushing down my fear. *This is what being Luna meant.* Facing the impossible and not flinching. Bearing the weight when no one else could.
"Let’s start," I said, my voice stronger now.
And like a ripple spreading across still water, the others moved into action.
***
The courtyard was packed by midmorning.
Word had spread like wildfire — first through whispers, then through cries of disbelief — until the entire pack had gathered.
Old and young, warriors and healers, children clinging to parents — all crowded the grassy expanse behind the packhouse. Eyes wide with fear and desperate hope.
I stood at the top of the stone steps, flanked by Liam and Luther on either side. Rowan stood slightly behind us, his arms crossed but his gaze steady, ready to support if needed.
As the murmurs quieted into expectant silence, Liam stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the crisp morning air. "My family," he said, and the weight of those words settled over the pack like a blanket. "We have suffered together. We have fought together. And today, we stand at the brink of salvation — together."
A cheer began to rise, but Luther stepped forward next, his gaze burning with fierce protectiveness. "But hear me well," he growled, the Alpha command ringing through the air. "This salvation was not born from fear, or power, or desperation. It was born from *her*."
He turned, his hand reaching back for mine, pulling me forward into the sunlight. The pack stared, wide-eyed, as Luther dropped to one knee before me. "For our Luna," he said, bowing his head. "Our strength. Our heart. Our salvation."
For one heartbeat, the world was silent.
And then the pack roared — a sound so loud, so full of love and anguish and hope, that it stole the breath from my lungs. They howled and clapped and stamped their feet, the earth vibrating beneath us.
Tears streamed freely down my face as Liam dropped to one knee beside Luther, both of my mates lowering their heads in reverence.
Behind them, Rowan bowed low, his warriors following his lead.
And then — impossibly, beautifully — the entire pack followed. Hundreds of wolves, warriors, omegas, children — all dropping to their knees, heads bowed to me.
Not because of fear.
Not because of duty.
But because they *chose* to.
Because they *believed.*
I pressed a trembling hand to my chest, overwhelmed. And then I stepped forward, lifting my voice so it carried across the courtyard. "I am not perfect," I said, my voice shaking but growing stronger with each word. "I was not born to be your Luna. I was not raised to be your leader. But I *choose* you."
A low, shuddering sound moved through the crowd. "I choose to fight for you," I continued. "To bleed for you. To protect you. As long as there is breath in my body, you will have it." The wind stirred around us, carrying my vow like a living thing. "You are my pack," I finished, tears blurring my vision. "My family."
And in the distance, wolves lifted their heads and howled, a mournful, beautiful sound that shook the very stones beneath our feet.
My heart cracked wide open, and in its place bloomed something vast and eternal.
Belonging.
Home.
***
Later that afternoon, after the first doses of the cure had been administered and the mood in the pack had shifted from despair to cautious hope, Rowan found me sitting on the porch of the packhouse, watching the sun dip low over the trees.
I heard his footsteps, but I didn’t turn. I knew it was him.
He settled beside me, his shoulder brushing mine. "You were incredible today," he said gruffly, clearing his throat.
I laughed softly, wiping at my damp cheeks. "I was terrified."
"Good." He smiled faintly. "It means you understand the weight of what you carry."
I looked over at him, studying the lines of his face — the brother I never knew I had, and yet somehow always missed. "Are you leaving?" I asked, the words slipping out before I could stop them.
Rowan hesitated. "I should," he said slowly. "My pack needs me."
My heart clenched painfully, but I nodded.
"But," he added, smiling slightly, "I’ll stay. As long as you need me. As long as *they* need help."
Relief flooded through me, so sharp and fierce I nearly wept. "I’ll always need you," I whispered.
Rowan reached over, ruffling my hair like I was still a child. "I know, little sister."
Footsteps sounded behind us, and I turned to see Liam and Luther emerging from the packhouse, their faces softening when they spotted us.
Rowan stood slowly, facing them. "You take care of her," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Or my pack and I will bring hell down on your heads."
Liam grinned lazily. "You think we’d ever let anything happen to her?"
Luther snorted, crossing his arms. "You’d have to fight us to get through."
Rowan smiled grimly. "Good." He turned back to me, ruffling my hair one last time. "Get some rest, Luna. You’ve earned it."
I watched him walk away, his broad shoulders disappearing into the gathering dusk. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt peace settle in my bones.
I turned to my mates, who were already holding out their arms for me. Without hesitation, I ran into them, letting their warmth wrap around me.
Luther buried his face in my hair.
Liam pressed a kiss to my temple.
And the three of us stood there, under the fading sky, breathing in the promise of a new beginning.
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