All Chapters of My Big Bad Wolf-A Werewolf Trilogy: Chapter 71 - Chapter 76

~Alex~I stood at the edge of the clearing, the scent of damp earth and pine heavy in the air. The village had begun to return to life after the last skirmish, but the echoes of battle still lingered. Even in moments of peace, I could feel the pull of responsibility pressing against my chest. Every decision I made affected more than just me: it rippled through Elysia, Willow, Twix, and the entire pack.I watched Elysia walking through the village, Willow skipping close to her side. My heart ached at how fast she was growing. Time moved with a relentless pace, and there was so much I wanted to protect her from. But I knew that sheltering her completely would only delay her understanding of the world. She had a sharp mind and a fearless spirit, qualities that would serve her well, but they also made her vulnerable in ways I could not fully control.Twix moved among his new pack with careful authority, guiding them, correcting mistakes, and quietly bearing the weight of his own grief. I a

~Alex~The forest was still damp from the night’s dew as I walked the perimeter alone, letting the rhythm of my steps settle the thoughts that had been circling since Twix’s visit. The quiet of morning had always been a comfort…steady, predictable, offering space for reflection. But today the quiet felt different. Not heavy, not tense. Expectant.The joined pact.Twix had said the words with a steadiness that told me he had been carrying the idea long before he spoke it aloud. And it made sense. His pack needed stability, and ours had become a refuge for more than just our own wolves. We’d taken in strays, refugees, survivors. We had a reputation now…a haven, a stronghold, a center point for scattered lives. But a joined pact was more than an alliance. It was a long-term merging of futures. Shared resources. Shared protection. Shared responsibility.Shared history, and shared healing.I stopped at the far ridge overlooking the valley, the morning sun spilling orange light over the tree

~Alex~Dawn broke in soft pinks and golds, painting the sky in the kind of light that made the world feel cleansed, renewed. I stood at the eastern ridge waiting for the sun to rise fully, the cool morning air brushing against my skin. Behind me, the village stirred with quiet energy…pots clinking, laughter in small bursts, footsteps moving with purpose. The preparations had gone well. The gathering felt right. Needed. And Twix would be here soon.I inhaled the scent of damp earth and pine sap, grounding myself in the calm. This was the part of leadership no one prepared you for—the rebuilding of spirits, the tending of hearts, the recognition that healing was just as vital as strength.A soft footstep sounded behind me. Elysia approached, her cloak wrapped loosely around her, the early morning breeze gently lifting strands of her hair. She gave me a small smile. “You’ve been out here a while.”“Couldn’t sleep,” I admitted. “Too much on my mind.”“Twix?” she asked.I shrugged. “Twix. T