Rae had been there for the boys early on, they knew her as well as they knew anyone. And Ellie knew without a doubt that Rae would do everything possible to keep them safe. She wasn''t a trained fighter, but that didn''t matter.


    She loved them and she would protect them. Ellie trusted Rae more than almost


    anyone.


    Relief loosened something tight in Ellie''s chest. "Thank you."


    Nn brushed his thumb along her cheek, his expression fierce but controlled. "No


    one takes them," he said quietly. "Not from you. Not from me."


    She believed him.


    AA


    That belief didn''t erase the fear-but it gave it shape, something she could stand against instead of drowning in.


    The boys were the top priority. Felicity wouldn''t get close enough to hurt them; Ellie would die before she let that happen.


    Later that night, ric found Ellie alone in the quiet sitting room, staring into the fire without really seeing it.


    Her head was swimming with everything that had happened over the past few days.


    Rae was moving back to Silver Fang and into the packhouse to take over as the boy''s personal guardian. Cassian was back in Moonstone, training and preparing their troops to deploy at the slightest sign of danger. ric was a constant presence since the attack at the debate.


    Ellie was grateful to have him close. It eased the fear that had settled deep in her heart.


    When he entered the room, she looked up at him and forced a smile.


    "It''ste," she said simply.


    He nodded once, acknowledging he''d heard her. His expression was serious and thoughtful as he walked further into the room. It pulled at the anxiety already buzzing around her chest. He wasn''t here just to say goodnight, that much was obvious.


    "There''s something you need to understand," he said gently, taking the chair across


    from her.


    She looked up, weary but attentive. He''d never been the type to mince words,


    especially when things were this serious. Whatever he had to say, she knew it would be important.


    As if to confirm it, his expression shifted into something a little more calcting, as if he was trying to assess whether she was ready to hear what he had to say.


    "Your connection to the goddess gives you more than visions," he continued. " Seeing what''s toe is only one facet of it."


    Ellie frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"


    "It''s a conduit," ric said. "A living channel. With training, you can learn to draw on it-shape it, defend with it."


    Her pulse quickened. "Defend?"


    She stared at him silently, her mind racing with the implications of his words. This connection to the goddess was powerful, she''d felt that in every dream and vision, but the idea of it being a physical thing was almost overwhelming. She felt a shudder run down her spine.


    "You have no wolf," he said inly, not unkindly. "Which means this is how you protect yourself and your sons."


    Part of her mind wanted to dismiss the idea as absurd. Ellie was never able to fight, never had the strength to protect herself in that way. She had always been dependant on others to look out for her because she didn''t have a wolf. Now, he he was telling her that wasn''t true.


    She could fight. She could defend. She wasn''t powerless.


    "You could have told me this sooner," she said softly. There was no anger in her tone, just a question. Why was she just finding out about this now?


    "I intended to," ric admitted. “But you''ve endured loss, upheaval, fear. I didn''t want to overwhelm you when you were already fighting so hard just surviving. I thought that you were safe in Moonstone. Then, when you returned to Silver Fang, Nn was a constant protective presense.” His gaze sharpened. “But survival isn''t enough anymore and what''sing isn''t something that we can trust to someone else entirely."


    +25 Bonus


    Ellie straightened slowly.


    "The storm ising," she said.


    "Yes," ric replied. "And we can''t wait any longer."


    He leaned forward slightly, voice firm and resolute.


    "It''s time for your training to begin."


    The fire cracked softly, sparks lifting into the air like embers carried on a rising wind.


    Outside, patrols moved through the dark, wards red brighter along Silver Fang''s borders, and the kingdom held its breath.


    The storm had been named.


    Now, Ellie would learn how to stand within it—and fight.


    凹


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    Cede is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a ir for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cede''s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.