Chapter 116

ELIZA’S POV The road to my pack was familiar, but this time it felt heavier. Ryan sat in front of me, cuddled securely in my arms. He didn’t say much, but I could feel how tightly he clung to me. The warmth of his small body against mine made something stir in my chest—something protective. He was so small. Too small to have endured all the pain he had. As we neared the gates of the pack, I could already see the guards ahead. Their armor gleamed faintly under sun, and the moment they spotted us, they stood taller. Their hands pressed to their chests in salute. When they recognized me, one of them stepped forward. “Alpha Eliza,” he said, bowing his head deeply. “Welcome home.” The other followed, bowing as well before they moved to open the massive iron gates. “Thank you,” I said, saluting them as well. As the gates opened and we entered the pack, something in me sighed. Relief. Home. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe. Pack members who were outside stopped what the