141

Chapter 143

The crescent moon hung low in the sky, casting silver light over the battered grounds of Crescent Fang. The war-torn trees stood like solemn sentinels, their limbs still cloaked in ash. But amidst the ruins, life had returned—flickering torches, laughter, the sound of rebuilding.

Crescent Fang’s wolves gathered at the edge of the village to see off the ones who had saved them. Faces were streaked with dirt and healing, but their eyes gleamed with gratitude.

Nancy stood at the front, arms crossed to mask the emotion in her throat. “You’re sure you won’t stay another day? You’ve earned rest…”

Avynna smiled gently. “We need to return home. Our people are waiting... and healing must begin there too.”

Nancy gave a nod but then stepped forward and hugged her fiercely. “Thank you—for everything. For not giving up on me. On my pack.”

Baron placed a hand on Nancy’s shoulder. “You fought for them. They’ll rise again under your leadership.”

Loco stood off to the side, staring at the dirt path leading away from the pack. It felt... strange to be leaving. Like he’d just barely earned the right to stand beside these people, and now he was walking away again.

“Hey.” A voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He turned. Callen stood in front of him, a fresh scar across his cheek and a hesitant look in his eyes. “Never thought I’d say this, but... thanks. For not being like the rest of them.”

Loco’s brows rose. “I didn’t expect you to say anything at all.”

“Yeah, well...” Callen extended a hand. “You’re still creepy as hell, but you helped us, and you saved our Alpha. That counts.”

Loco took the hand with a rare smirk. “I’m glad I could help.”

Nearby, pups from the Crescent Fang pack swarmed Bavanda with flowers—wild, bent blossoms that had somehow survived the war.

“Lady Bavanda!” one of them piped up. “Will you teach us how to fight like you someday?”

Bavanda knelt, ruffling the pup’s hair. “Only if you promise never to fight unless you have to.”

The pup’s face scrunched in confusion. “That’s not very heroic.”

She smiled faintly. “Real heroes know when not to draw blood.”

A warm breeze blew through the clearing, carrying laughter, tears, and memories. It was time.

Baron’s voice rang out, firm and steady. “Let’s go home.”

One last round of hugs. One last promise to return someday. Then they turned and headed for the woods—toward home.

The group moved in a calm, steady rhythm beneath the starlit sky. The howls of nocturnal creatures echoed in the distance, but it felt peaceful now. Every step felt like a step toward something new.

Loco walked near the back, quiet, eyes fixed on the canopy above.

Avynna’s voice carried back, curious. “Loco. Tell me something.”

He blinked, brows raising. “That’s a dangerous way to start a conversation.”

She laughed softly. “Uhh… Why did you choose... this? Not Valchren. Not the dark world?”

He walked a bit further before answering. “Because I didn’t want to become what made me.”

Baron, walking beside her, chimed in. “You were born there, weren’t you?”

Loco nodded. “The Dark World. Shadows. Chains. Obedience. They raise you to destroy... or be destroyed. I watched brothers turn on each other. Sisters sold for power. I never fit in. I was too curious. Too different”

Nancy, riding beside them, glanced over. “Your mother. Was she...?”

“Yes, werewolf like you. Stolen from her pack before she turned sixteen. They kept her as a vessel. As an experiment, to see what became of her when forced under the darkness. It was terrible.” His voice quieted. “She died protecting me from one of the generals. I was five.”

Silence followed, heavy and solemn.

Steve chipped in. “So you ran.”

“That… that would have been suicide.” He chuckled painfully. “I waited. I planned. I pretended to be loyal until I wasn’t.” He glanced at her, something soft in his gaze. “Until I met someone who made the shadows feel... small.”

Bavanda blinked. “Me?”

He smiled faintly. “You had fire in your eyes and blood on your fists, but you still hesitated before killing. You looked at even the enemy with pain in your heart. And the way you resisted the darkness, I felt it in my bones. I’d never seen that. Not once.”

Bavanda looked away, her cheeks warming.

Baron cleared his throat. “And... what exactly are you, Loco? We never asked. What is the dark Lord?” he paused before adding. “Was," he corrected solemnly.

He chuckled dryly. “The dark Lord was everything, crazy, right? He was a vampire, werewolf, wizard, name them. He somehow managed to inject all of these into his system, I used to think he was immortal. Funny how I watched him die.”

A heavy silence fell on the team.

Loco let out a heavy sigh, before he continued. “He was originally human, so I'm part human, part werewolf, part bound by the shadows. Shadow-bound. They used to call me ‘The Mistborn,’ but I hated the name. I’m not one thing. I’m both. And neither. Which means... I get to choose who I am. Every day.”

Avynna met his gaze. “Then I’m glad you chose to stand with us.”

“So am I,” Baron said softly. “I want you to know that you've earned a spot amongst us. We're grateful."

Loco shrugged, but something in his expression—gratitude, maybe—lingered. “Thank you!"

Bavanda nudged his arm lightly. “Mistborn, huh? Sounds like something out of an old prophecy.”

He smirked. “Don’t give the elders any ideas. They’ll start carving me into stone next.”

She laughed, and for a moment, the air felt light again.

But as the forest thinned and their home neared, that laughter faded into quiet. Loco’s smile waned, and Bavanda’s fingers curled tighter around the reins.

Peace had returned—but something unspoken settled between them. And somehow, it felt like it had nothing to do with the war.

The wind carried their scent first.

It swept over the hills and through the trees, weaving through the territory like a whisper from the gods. A scout, perched atop a high ridge just before sunset, lifted his nose, sniffed once—and his heart dropped.

“They’re back!” he cried, loud enough for his voice to echo through the valley. “The Alpha has returned!”

The cry repeated like thunder, passed from wolf to wolf, pup to elder. The pack erupted in motion. Doors flew open, wolves spilled from homes, and children raced down dirt paths barefoot. A chorus of joy, disbelief, and emotion cracked the quiet dusk.

And then they saw them.

Avynna and Baron led the way, Bavanda trailing closely behind, her cloak torn, her skin weathered by battle but glowing faintly with the soft shimmer of moonlight. Loco walked at her side, tall and silent, his eyes alert as always—but softer now, touched by something new.

The pack sweeped them, hugging and cheering ensued. The happiness and excitement was palatable.

Loco stood a little back, watching it all.

A pup approached him—wide-eyed and hesitant. “Are you… the dark one?” he asked.

Loco crouched and gave the child a small smile. “Not anymore.”

The child grinned and hugged him, startling him. He froze for a moment—then placed a gentle hand on the boy’s back.

“I told you,” Bavanda whispered as she joined his side. “You’re part of us now.”

As Bavanda’s pack led their warriors home, torches lit the path back into the heart of the territory. Wolves howled in celebration. Music began—simple drums and flutes echoing softly through the trees.

With the arrival of night time came the real celebration.

The bonfire roared at the center of the clearing, crackling and spitting sparks into the evening air. Flames danced in the eyes of the gathered wolves, casting flickering light over smiling faces, clinking cups, and the occasional burst of laughter.

Bavanda stood off to the side at first, watching as the pack celebrated around her. Someone had strung lanterns between the trees. Elders handed out roasted meat and sweetroot cakes. Warriors told embellished tales of the final battle—each time with more dramatic flair.

She almost didn’t notice when Loco approached her with that familiar glint in his eyes.

“Come on,” he said, offering his hand.

She gave him a skeptical glance. “I don’t dance.”

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Lucky for you, I’m here to make you.”

Before she could protest, he swept her into the. crowd with a mischievous laugh, pulling her close as the beat of drums picked up. His movements were confident, teasing. He twirled her with ease, and she couldn’t help but laugh—really laugh. The kind that made her chest ache in the best way.

“See?” he grinned. “You’re not as bad at this as you said.”

“That’s because you’re dragging me like a sack of flour,” she teased, breathless.

“Oh please,” he said, spinning her again, “you’re the most graceful sack of flour I’ve ever seen.”

As the music slowed, so did they, their movements melting into something more intimate. Loco’s hands found her waist, pulling her close. Bavanda’s arms looped around his neck, her body molding against his like a puzzle piece that had always been waiting to click into place.

For a moment, the world faded—just the firelight, the quiet beat of drums, and his breath warm against her cheek.

“I want this,” he whispered, so softly she almost didn’t catch it. “Forever.”

Her breath caught.

“You. Me. A home. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not this year—but someday. I want that with you.”

Her heart thudded hard against her ribs. She wanted to speak. To say yes, her too. But her voice betrayed her.

She pulled back slightly, managing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Let’s just enjoy tonight,” she said gently.

Loco stilled.

His gaze searched hers—sharp, intuitive, and suddenly quieter than before.

He could tell something had shifted.

But after a beat, he nodded, masking it with a smirk. “Alright. One night at a time.”

She nodded, her smile more genuine this time. “One night at a time.”

But as she rested her
head against his chest and let the rhythm of his heartbeat guide her, she couldn’t ignore the tiny, creeping thought:

What if forever wasn’t the same for both of them?

Hey Guys please check my other stories: The Lycan and His healer mate, His Purchased Wife, 365 Days in Dmitry Cage, The fatal Lycan and his mysterious mate, Xiol's Treasured Mate, The luna and the lycan, Flash Marriage: President's Seduction, In Adonis world, Alpha's little Vampire Mate on R.a.d.i.s.h.

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Betrayed by My Ex, Claimed by His father on Goodnovel