Chapter 110

As twilight descended over Lockewood, casting the forest in shades of amber and gold, Shea found herself drawn to the balcony outside the Great Hall. The celebration continued inside, but she needed a moment to process everything that had happened. Below her, the town lights began to twinkle as darkness settled over the valley.

"There you are," Achilles's voice came from behind her, followed by his warm presence at her side. "Hiding from your admirers?"

Shea smiled, leaning into him as his arm wrapped around her waist. "Just taking it all in. It feels surreal—like I might wake up tomorrow and find myself back in the city, none of this having happened."

"Is that what you want?" he asked, his tone light but his eyes searching.

She turned to face him fully. "No. Not for a second."

The moonlight caught in his hair, silvering the edges of his profile. Shea reached up to trace the line of his jaw, marveling at how this man—this powerful, complicated werewolf—had become her anchor in a world that had once seemed designed to destroy her.

"I came to Lockewood for vengeance," she said softly. "I was so consumed by it. All I wanted was to find who killed my father and make them pay."

Achilles nodded, covering her hand with his own. "And now?"

"Now I understand what my father was fighting for. Not just for his family, but for balance. For peace." She looked out at the forest stretching before them, feeling the pulse of the wellspring beneath it all. "I want to build something here, Achilles. Something lasting."

His eyes softened. "We will. Together."

Inside, the music changed to something slower, more intimate. The sounds drifted out to them on the night air.

"Dance with me?" Achilles asked, extending his hand with a slight bow that made her laugh.

"Here? Now?"

"Why not? We've earned a moment of peace, don't you think?"

She placed her hand in his, and he pulled her close, one hand at her waist, the other holding hers against his chest where she could feel his heartbeat. They swayed together under the stars, their movements in perfect sync.

"Do you remember when we first met?" she asked. "You told me to leave Lockewood and never come back."

He winced. "Not my finest moment."

"You were trying to protect me."

"I was being an ass," he countered, spinning her gently before pulling her back against him. "But yes, I wanted to keep you safe. I just didn't realize then that you'd be the one saving all of us."

She shook her head. "We saved each other. You, me, Marcus, Lyra... even Ryder, in his way. That's what I've learned—we're stronger together than apart."

As they danced, their marks began to glow softly, illuminating the space between them with a gentle blue light. The sensation had become familiar now—that rush of energy, of connection, of belonging.

"I never believed in fate," Achilles said, his voice low. "I thought it was just something people invented to make sense of random events. But then you walked into my life, and suddenly..."

"Suddenly what?"

His eyes met hers, intense and vulnerable in a way few ever got to see. "Suddenly everything made sense. Every choice, every struggle, every moment led me to you."

The music faded, but they continued to sway together, reluctant to break the spell of the moment.

"I love you, Shea Wolfe," he whispered against her hair. "Not because of marks or magic or destiny. I love you because you're brave and stubborn and compassionate. Because you see the good in people, even when they can't see it in themselves."

Tears pricked at her eyes, but they were tears of joy, not sorrow. "I love you too. Even when you're being impossibly stubborn."

"Especially then," he said with a grin.

Their lips met in a kiss that held all the promise of their future—tender at first, then deepening with a passion that had only grown stronger with time. When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Shea rested her forehead against his.

"So what happens now?" she asked.

"Now?" Achilles considered this. "Now we build that future you mentioned. We protect the wellspring. We maintain the peace between the factions. We make a home."

"A home," she repeated, savoring the word. After years of feeling adrift, the concept held a special weight. "I'd like that."

They stayed on the balcony a while longer, planning and dreaming, until Marcus found them.

"There you two are," he said, looking more relaxed than Shea had ever seen him. "Your mother's looking for you, Shea. I think she's ready to head back to Penelope's for the night."

Shea nodded. "We'll be right in."

After Marcus left, Achilles took her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles. "Stay with me tonight," he said. "At the mansion."

The heat in his eyes made her pulse quicken. "What about my mother?"

"I'm sure she'll understand if you want to spend the night celebrating our victory with your mate," he said, his voice dropping to that register that never failed to send shivers down her spine.

"My mate," she echoed, loving how the word felt on her tongue. "I like the sound of that."

As they walked back inside, hand in hand, Shea took one last look at the forest stretching out below them. Somewhere in those woods was the wellspring, pulsing with renewed life. Somewhere in those woods was the spirit of her father, finally at peace.

She had come to Lockewood seeking answers about her past. Instead, she had found her future—a purpose, a community, and a love deeper than she had ever imagined possible.

The path ahead wouldn't be easy. There would be challenges to face, wounds still to heal, lessons yet to learn. But they would face it all together, bound by something stronger than magic or duty or fate.

As Achilles squeezed her hand, his mark glowing in harmony with hers, Shea knew with absolute certainty that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Home, at last.

THE END