(Audrey’s POV)

    The morning sun filtered through the delicatece curtains of my new bedroom, casting dancing patterns across the polished wooden floors. Three months had passed since Nathan’s trial, and I still sometimes couldn’t believe this was real.

    This territory den belonged to me now. To my mother and me.

    I stood at the window overlooking our private garden, watching the early morning light illuminate the carefully tended flower beds and stone pathways. Yvette had worked with the territory architects to create something truly special – a home that honored both our individual needs and our newfound rtionship as mother and daughter.

    The healing wing where I conducted my practice sessions was modern and efficient, equipped with the finest werewolf medical technology avable. But the main living areas retained traditional pack elements that made Yvettefortable when she entertained her political contacts.

    For the first time in my life, I truly felt like I had a family home.

    “Audrey?” Yvette’s voice called from downstairs. “Your breakfast is ready!”

    I smiled, still adjusting to having someone care about whether I ate proper meals. The maternal attention felt both foreign and wonderful after years of independence.

    “Coming, Mother!” I called back, quickly braiding my auburn hair before heading down the spiral staircase.

    The kitchen smelled like fresh honey cakes and territory coffee – a blend Yvette had specially ordered from the northern regions. She stood at the marble counter, already dressed in her formal pack meeting attire despite the early hour.

    “Pack Council session today?” I asked, settling into my favorite chair at the breakfast table.

    “Resource allocation discussions,” Yvette confirmed, setting a te of warm pastries before me. “Very tedious, but necessary for maintaining our territorial agreements.”

    She paused, studying my face with the careful attention only mothers possessed. “You look rested. How are you sleepingtely?”

    The nightmares about the hunting lodge had finally begun to fade. I no longer woke up screaming Arthur’s name or seeing Nathan’s obsessed eyes in every shadow.

    “Better,” I admitted honestly. “Much better than I was.”

    Yvette’s relief was visible in the rxing of her shoulders. She had spent countless nights sitting beside my bed during the worst weeks after the trial, holding my hand through panic attacks and grief episodes.

    “I’m proud of how far you’vee,” she said softly. “Your strength amazes me every day.”

    Before I could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps made us both look toward the garden entrance. Florian appeared on the stone pathway, moving with his characteristic confident stride.

    His recovery from the lodge battle had progressed remarkably well, though he still asionally used a walking stick on particrly difficult days. Today, however, he moved with his old graceful ease.

    “Good morning, beautifuldies,” Florian called through the open kitchen window. “Permission to enter your territory?” Iughed, gesturing for him toe inside. “Since when do you ask permission for anything?”

    “Since I started courting the most important she-wolf in Central Territory,” he replied with a grin, stepping through the doorway.

    He wore a simple hunting shirt and dark trousers, but somehow managed to look effortlessly elegant. His golden eyes found mine immediately, and I felt the familiar warmth spread through my chest.

    “How’s the leg today?” I asked, noting his smooth movements.

    “Perfect,” Florian said, executing a small bow to prove his point. “Dr. Whitew says I’m officially cleared for all activities.” Yvette raised an eyebrow. “All activities?”

    Florian’s grin widened mischievously. “All activities, Luna Riverwind.”

    I felt my cheeks flush as I understood his implication. We had been taking our physical rtionship slowly, both of us still processing the trauma of recent events.

    “Speaking of activities,” Florian continued, pulling out a chair beside mine. “I bring excellent news about Winter’s Remedy.”

    My healing practice had expanded far beyond anything I had originally envisioned. What began as custom formtions for individual clients had grown into a territory-wide business with branches in three major pack regions.

    “The expansion is exceeding all projections,” Florian said with obvious pride. “Sarah’s business acumenbined with your healing reputation has created something truly exceptional.”

    “The Shadowcrest pack alone ced orders for two hundred silver burns healing potionsst week,” I said, still amazed by the demand. “And the Moonstone pack has requested a permanent supply contract for basic wound treatments.”

    Florian nodded enthusiastically. “Beta Kael says pack leaders throughout the region are rmending your formtions to their members. You’re bing famous, whether you like it or not.”

    “I’m just d to help wolves who need healing,” I said honestly. “After everything I’ve been through, being able to ease other people’s pain feels like finding my true purpose.”

    “Speaking of purpose,” Florian’s expression grew yfully serious. “Leo’s been asking when you’re going to officially be his Aunt Luna.”

    My heart squeezed with affection for the little wolf pup who had kept us connected during our darkest times. Leo had been staying with Cassandra while I recovered, but he visited our territory den almost daily.

    “What has he been saying?” I asked, though I already suspected the answer.

    “Cassandra says he’s been practicing the traditional weing howls for when we announce our mate bond,” Florian said, his golden eyes sparkling with amusement. “Apparently, he’s convinced he needs to perform them perfectly to make the ceremony official.”

    Yvetteughed softly. “That child has more pack tradition knowledge than most adult wolves.”

    “He also keeps asking when you two are going to give him wolf pup cousins to y with,” Florian added wickedly.

    I nearly choked on my territory coffee. “Florian!”

    “What? I’m just reporting what he said. Completely urately, I might add.”

    Before I could formte a proper response, the sound of Yvette’s pack device interrupted our conversation. She nced at the caller identification and smiled.

    “Excuse me,” she said, stepping into the garden to take the call privately.

    Florian moved his chair closer to mine, his hand finding mine on the table. “How are you really doing today?”

    His golden eyes searched my face with gentle concern. He always seemed to know when I was putting on a brave front for others.

    “Honestly? Good,” I said, intertwining our fingers. “Better than I’ve been in months. This ce, this life we’re building together – it feels real in a way nothing else has.”

    “No more nightmares?”

    “asional ones. But they’re fading.” I squeezed his hand. “Having you here helps more than you know.”

    Florian raised our joined hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. “I’m not going anywhere, Audrey. Not ever again.”

    The sincerity in his voice made my chest tighten with emotion. After years of uncertainty and maniption, having someone’s unwavering devotion still felt like a miracle.

    Yvette returned from her phone call, her expression bright with excitement.

    “Wonderful news,” she announced, settling back into her chair. “The Riverwind pack has agreed to establish a permanent healing research facility here in Central Territory.”

    My eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”

    “The facility will be independently operated,” Yvette continued, “focusing on the kind of innovative work you’ve been developing. Advanced formtions, new treatment methods, coborative research with other pack healers.”

    I felt tears of gratitude prick my eyes. “Mother, this is incredible.”

    “You’ve earned this recognition through your skill and dedication,” Yvette said firmly. “The pack council recognizes your contributions to werewolf healing practices. This facility will allow you to scale your impact significantly.”

    Florian squeezed my hand encouragingly. “You could be the most influential healer in werewolf history.”

    “I just want to help wolves who are suffering,” I said, though the magnitude of the opportunity was thrilling. “To prevent others from going through what I experienced.”

    “That’s exactly why you’re perfect for this role,” Yvette said. “Yourpassion drives your innovation.”

    As evening approached, the three of us shared dinner on the territory den’s moonlit terrace. Theke beyond our property reflected the stars like scattered diamonds, and the gentle sound of waterpping against the shore created a peaceful backdrop for our conversation.

    Yvette regaled us with stories from her pack council meeting, including a heated argument about territory fishing rights that had nearly resulted in an Alpha challenge. Florian shared updates about his pack’s business ventures, and I described mytest healing breakthrough.

    For me, the scene represented everything I had dreamed of during my darkest moments in the Sunstone Territories. Family gathered around a table, sharing food andughter and genuine affection. Love and purpose coexisting in perfect harmony.

    “I never thought I could be this happy,” I admitted, looking between the two most important people in my world. “After

    everything we’ve been through – the maniption, the lies, the violence – this feels like a gift from the Moon Goddess herself.

    ||

    “You deserve every moment of happiness,” Yvette said softly. “You survived things that would have broken most wolves.” “We all did,” Florian added, his golden eyes reflecting the moonlight. “And we came out stronger on the other side.”

    Later, after Yvette had retired to her chambers with a book of ancient packw, Florian took my hand and led me to our favorite spot overlooking the territoryke. The path wound through carefully maintained gardens, past flowering bushes that released their sweet fragrance into the night air.

    A wooden bench sat at theke’s edge, positioned to provide the perfect view of both the water and the star-filled sky above. We had spent many evenings here over the past months, talking through our trauma and nning our future together.

    “The stars are particrly bright tonight,” I observed, settling beside him on the familiar bench.

    “Perfect timing then,” Florian said, his voice carrying an unusual note of nervousness.

    I looked at him more carefully, noting the way his hands fidgeted with something in his jacket pocket. His usual confident demeanor seemed slightly shaken.

    “Florian? Is everything alright?”

    “More than alright,” he said, withdrawing a small velvet box from his pocket. “I have something for you.”

    My breath caught in my throat as he opened the box, revealing an elegant ring that caught the moonlight like captured starfire. The design was unmistakably Stormhowl pack bonding jewelry – traditional yet uniquely beautiful.

    “Marry me, Audrey Winter,” Florian said, his golden eyes meeting mine with absolute certainty. “Let’s make this official before Leo drives us all crazy with his excitement.”