The hum of the tiny town's train station was not the silence Mia was used to. She stood on the platform, borrowed duffel bag slung over one shoulder, looking toward the horizon where woods gave way to tracks.
It had settled in her chest, a heavy weight, as hard as stone.
She was not back as a mate.
She was not coming back as an omega and expecting scraps.
She returned as Mia Thompson.
And this time she would not let anyone else dictate what that meant except herself.
Ember sat next to her on the bench, sipping from a juice bottle, the red curls concealed under a wool cap. "You sure you're ready for this?"
"No," she confessed. "But I'm going anyway."
Ember smiled. "That is the difference between courage and pride."
She let the word hang between them. Courage. No one had ever described her as being courageous. No one ever. Not even herself. Maybe courage was just doing the thing you had to do, even when your heart was still hurting.
The train rumbled into view, metal wheels screeching along the tracks. Mia got up.
"You know they're going to gawk," Ember said. "You know the council is expecting you to fail."
I know.
"And Lucas?"
She breathed deep. "He's going to be watching me stand alone. Whether he likes it or not."
Lucas stood at the steps of the Silverpine Hall, arms crossed over his chest, eyes locked on the forest road that ran off toward the main road. His jaw was tight, his heart pounding harder than he would ever admit.
"She'll come," he said, standing beside him.
Lucas didn't answer.
She would not miss the opportunity to prove all the elders wrong.
However, Lucas said nothing.
"She's not after you," Cade said gently. "At least, not yet."
Lucas turned to him finally, voice rough. "I don't believe she will."
Cade patted him on the shoulder. "Good. Because you've got plenty more than enough enemies inside that building to worry about."
Less than one day until the summit. Packs from all over the north were filtering in — leaders, ambassadors, warriors. And among them, old friendships and fragile treaties that would disintegrate at the first misstep.
And then there was Mia.
The one they had gossiped about. Teased. Rejected.
And now, back to the lion's den.
The pack's reaction was immediate.
When Mia and Ember crossed the bridge and onto Silverpine territory, conversation stopped. People turned around. Some wolves bristled. Others sneered.
However, Mia strode along, chin up, step as even as possible.
She did not glance at me.
She didn't flinch.
Her heart beat loudly within. Her wolf awakened and listened, not frightened, but ready.
They opened the doors to the lodge and entered to the common room, where wolves of all ranks occupied the room. Elders lined the opposite side. Warriors stood against pillars. The staff from the kitchen even came forth to observe.
And at the center was Lucas.
He was different—not physically, but in his bearing. His eyes were no longer pleading. They were proud. Resigned. Focused.
He did not touch her.
He didn't smile.
He simply nodded once. A wordless, powerful gesture of acknowledgement.
She gazed up at his eyes, and they stood there together, frozen — Alpha and Omega. No longer band members. Not yet allies. But something was taking form between them in the silence.
Respect
Elder Garran stepped forward, his expression neutral. "You received our invitation."
"I did," Mia replied.
"And you accept this position as representative of Silverpine?"
"I do."
A murmur swept through the group. Garran's brow furrowed. "You understand what this means? You will be expected to represent the pack. To stand beside the Alpha."
"I don't stand up for anyone unless I choose to," Mia replied, tone flat. "But I stand up for Silverpine. Because this pack is where I reside, whether they accept me or not."
Silence
And then, from among the crowd, one wolf clapped. Quiet. Then another. Then another.
Not all. Not yet.
But enough.
His brow furrowed. "So be it."
Later that evening, he discovered her standing on the training cliffs, gazing over the valley. The moonlight had painted her silver.
"You did all right," he said, stepping closer.
She did not look at him. "I did it not for praise."
I know.
They stood side by side, the wind whispering through the branches beneath them.
"I never gave up on you," Lucas said finally.
She faced him, eyes sharp. "Why did you make me think I was not good enough?"
His shoulders sagged. "Because I was scared. I would lose all the other things, though, if I chose you. But the thing is… turning you down was when I began to lose."
She gazed at him. Her heart continued to ache. But the ache no longer controlled her.
"I don't ask you to choose me now," she said. "I've already chosen myself."
Lucas nodded.
"I just wish, someday," he whispered, "That you would choose us again."