Chapter 110: The Aftermath Anna POV

In the broken remnants of Nightshade's great hall, the firelight wavered, creating unsettling shadows on the stone walls. I had nothing left to offer the pack, but they continued to hover, perhaps awaiting guidance. There was still a weight in my chest. I didn't feel like I had won, even though Oliver was defeated and his rule was overthrown by the people he used to rule.

Sitting next to me on a splintered wooden bench, Maia was looking off into space as she absently traced a scar over her arm. Ever the guardian, Lucas stood a few feet away, his gaze sweeping the still audience. 

After a long pause, Lucas whispered, "They need a leader." He spoke in a quiet, wary tone. "Someone to rebuild what's left."

Slowly, I nodded. "They need someone," I said, then looked over at Maia.

She stiffened as I stared at her. "Don't even think about it." 

I cocked my head. "Why not?" 

She gave a dry laugh, but it was devoid of any humor. "Because I never wanted this place. I never wanted to lead." She balled her hand into a fist. "You are the only one who truly understands what this pack has done to us, Anna. To you. How can you just stand there and say that I should take over and clean up the mess they made?" 

I let out a sigh. I did understand. 

She lowered her gaze to her hands. "The only good thing about Nightshade was Leo. And they let him die."

I could recognize the resentment in her voice in my own emotions.

Then Lucas spoke. "But things are different now. The pack has changed." 

After taking a deep breath, Maia turned to face me. "Would you stay to guide them?"

I paused. That was my answer. 

"No," she said quietly, reading me with ease. "Because you don't belong here anymore."

She wasn't wrong. 

I looked aside, at the ruins of the fight we had barely survived. Despite the fires that had raged through the night, the walls still retained the scars of war... scorch marks, claw marks, and the lingering smell of blood.

Lucas took a step forward, his voice low. "So, what happens now?"  

I took a deep breath. "Now?" 

Maia stood up. "I know what I want." She gave me a direct glance. "I want to be with my family." 

My throat constricted. 

Softer now, she added, "Anna, you're my only family. Leo is gone. I never called Nightshade home. But I'll follow you wherever you go." 

Something inside of me cracked at her words. I had been alone for so long... running, fighting, surviving. But Maia had always been there for me. 

I pushed back the emotion that rose in my chest and nodded. "Then we leave." 

Lucas let out a sigh, as though he had been waiting for my words. He moved to stand next to me, his presence firm and steady. "And where will you go?" 

I looked him in the eye, searching for hesitation. There was none.

"The human world," I said. 

He didn't flinch at all. "Then we'll go there." 

I let out a small laugh, something light and incredulous. "You say that as if it were simple." 

He grinned. "Compared to overthrowing a tyrant? It is simple." 

Maia gave a snort. "Speak for yourself. I've never even seen a human town, let alone lived in one." 

Lucas faced her. "You'll figure it out." 

"And you?" I asked, watching him closely. "Are you sure?" 

Lucas and I looked at each other, the last few weeks passing between us.

"I've been running my whole life," he said. "Trying to escape one pack then another. But with you?" He breathed, his voice quieter now. "For the first time, I don't want to run alone." 

My breath caught in my chest. 

Maia rolled her eyes. "Gods, just kiss already." 

I glanced at her, but Lucas merely laughed. 

Our moment lingered, something still unacknowledged between all of us. But there wasn't time. Not here.

I cleared my throat and said, "We should leave soon. Before the pack expects anything from us." 

Maia stretched as she stood. "Fine by me." 

Lucas nodded. "Let's go then."

As we left the hall, the remaining wolves of Nightshade turned to watch me, their eyes waiting, expecting something. One last thing. A farewell. A promise. 

I gave them nothing. 

Instead, I spoke to the one wolf I did have words for.

Cain stood among the crowd, blood still staining his armor. One of the few rebels who survived. He had questioned me, argued with me, and believed in me when others doubted.

"Stay," I told him. "Lead them."

His eyes widened. "Me?" 

"You fought for them," I said. "They trust you." 

Though he hesitated, I could already see the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders in his expression. 

Finally, he nodded. "I'll do my best."

That was all I needed to hear. 

"Do you think they'll be okay?" I broke the silence after a while. 

Lucas gave me a quick look. "The pack?" 

I nodded. 

"They'll figure it out," he said. "They have to." 

I sighed and looked into the distance. "I just... I don't want them to fall apart. Not after everything we went through to get here." 

"They won't," Lucas insisted. "Cain is a good leader. He'll take care of them." 

I nodded, though the doubt lingered. 

Maia turned to look at us thoughtfully. "You know, we could always come back. If they need us." 

I shook my head. "No. This is our chance for a fresh start. To move on from the past." 

Maia smiled, a small, tired smile, but it was genuine. "Then let's make the most of it."