Ava''s POV


    I was finishing up in the training yard, sweaty and satisfied after a solid session with Lucas, when Tyler appeared in the doorway, his usual stone face carrying something different.


    Tyler appeared in the doorway, his usual stone-faced expression softened around the edges. Something was different.


    "Got news," he said, holding out a folded piece of parchment. "Alpha King wanted me to hand this to you personally."


    My fingers trembled slightly as I took it, recognizing the official seal before I even unfolded it-the intricate silver wolf head and moon symbol that only ke could


    use.


    "This is...?" I couldn''t finish the question, heart suddenly racing.


    "Official modification of William Rivers'' sentence, Tyler answered, watching my face carefully. "Death penalty''s been revoked, reced with indefinite imprisonment pending further investigation."


    I had to take several deep breaths just to keep standing. "This is real? He''s not going to be executed?"


    Tyler nodded, his eyes showing a rare glimpse of warmth. "Alpha King showed up at Shadow Creek himself. The Elders didn''t have much choice but toply. Your father stays locked up, but the conditions will improve drastically. Regr visitation rights included."


    I clutched the document tightly, the parchment crinkling under my grip. This paper-this simple piece of paper meant my father would live.


    “How did ke—I mean, the Alpha King-manage this?” I asked, still processing the sudden shift in my world.


    He has his ways, Tyler''s mouth curved in a small smile. "Authority, evidence, and


    a certain... persuasiveness that even the most stubborn Elders can''t ignore.


    ''I need to thank him, I said, feeling overwhelmed by gratitude and shock.


    "He''s back at the manor," Tyler replied. "But I''d suggest you share this news with your mother first. After all, we both know what this means for her."


    I nodded, eager to get home. "Lucas''s training-


    "Alpha King says pick it up tomorrow," Tyler cut in. “Tonight is for family."


    I nearly sprinted all the way home, document clutched against my chest like a lifeline. When I pushed open our front door, Sarah was sitting by the window, staring vacantly at the moonlight outside. The same position I''d found her in countless times since Dad''s arrest.


    "Mom!" I called out, my voice vibrating with barely contained excitement.


    She turned, her face still etched with the weariness and worry that had be her constantpanions. "Ava? What''s happened?"


    I thrust the document toward her, barely able to control my voice. "Dad''s not going to be executed! The Alpha King intervened personally. The sentence has been changed to indefinite imprisonment!"


    Sarah''s hands shook as she took the parchment, her eyes rapidly scanning its contents. With each line she read, her expression transformed-from disbelief to tentative hope, then to joy. By the time she finished, tears were streaming down her hollow cheeks.


    "Is this real?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "William is really... not going to die?"


    "It''s real,'' I confirmed, kneeling beside her and taking her hands. "The Alpha King went to Shadow Creek himself. They had no choice but to ept it. Dad still has to stay in prison, but things will get better, and we can visit him regrly."


    Sarah gripped my hands tightly, her tears flowing freely now. But these were different from the tears of despair I''d grown ustomed to seeing. These were tears of relief.


    "Thank the Moon Goddess,'' she murmured.


    thank that Alpha King."


    We sat in silence for a few moments, sharing this sliver of hope that had broken through months of darkness. Then, suddenly, Sarah lifted her head, her eyes showing a spark of life I hadn''t seen in forever.


    "I need to prepare some things," she said, her voice carrying a determination I''d almost forgotten she possessed. "If we can visit your father, I want to bring him some moonlight herb tea. To help him recover."


    I watched in amazement as she rose to her feet and moved to the kitchen, beginning to examine the herb cab. For months, she''d barely touched these things. Now, her movements were tentative but purposeful.


    "I want to see him tomorrow," she decided, looking up at me. "Will youe with me?"


    "Of course," I promised, feeling a warmth spreading through my chest. "I''ll arrange it."


    Later that night, after Sarah had gone to bed, I sat on our porch steps, gazing at the distant moon. ke Morgan, an Alpha who was practically a stranger months ago, had risked angering an entire pack to save my father''s life.


    Why? Was it his sense of justice? Appreciation for my work with Lucas? Or... something else entirely?


    Whatever his motivation, I found myself feeling a trust and gratitude I''d never expected. In a world of wolf politics and power ys, his actions had gone far beyond any formal contract or obligation.


    If he asked for anything in return, I''d give it without hesitation. But strangely, I knew he wouldn''t ask. This kind of unconditional help was almost unheard of in wolf society.


    The moonlight fell warm and bright on my skin. Tomorrow, I''d return to training Lucas, but I''d also find a moment to thank ke personally. Not as an employee to an employer, but as one wolf to another who had shown true dignity and courage.


    Jackson''s POV


    Jackson paced the length of his study, fury burning through him like wildfire. The execution order-the one he''d carefully orchestrated-officially canceled. William Rivers would live, which meant the truth could stille out.


    "That interfering bastard," he muttered, mming his fist against the wall.


    ke Morgan. The almighty Alpha King, sticking his nose where it didn''t belong. Everything had been perfectly arranged-William taking the fall, his eventual execution erasing any loose ends, and Ava, devastated and vulnerable, would have had no choice but to turn to Jackson forfort.


    He forced himself to take a deep breath. No, this wasn''t the end. Just a setback. Rushing things had been his mistake. Ava wasn''t some conquest to be imed overnight.


    She was a mate-his mate. Their connection was written in silver mark upon her skin. No Alpha King could erase that, no matter how much power he wielded.


    Jackson moved to the window, staring at the moon. Perhaps this development could work in his favor. William''s continued existence would keep Ava engaged with Shadow Creek politics. She wouldn''t be able to fullymit to whatever was brewing between her and ke.


    ''She''s still mine," he whispered to the night. "Every part of her belongs to me, whether she epts it or not."


    The bond between true mates couldn''t be severed-only redirected, temporarily. She could y trainer to ke''s spoiled brat, maybe even warm his bed if things went that far. But in the end, she''d return to where she belonged.


    A cruel smile spread across Jackson''s face. ke Morgan could enjoy his little songbird for now. But the cage was still his to close whenever he chose.


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