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The oracle broke. Tears streamed freely now, carving lines down her sun-worn face. She folded in on herself, trembling, hands clenched in her lap.

They both knew what it meant.

A year here would be ten there. Ten years of torment, or madness, or worse.

Ana finally turned; her voice low. "It's the best I can do. There must be justice for those she has destroyed."

The oracle didn't speak. She just nodded, the motion jerky, shoulders shaking as she cried openly beside the river.

And Ana let her. Quiet. Still.

Because there was nothing else left to say.

Epilogue

Present day

The Oracle's voice fell to a hush, the last words lingering like smoke in the cool night air.

For a moment, the younglings were silent, caught in the enchantment of what had been shared. The fire popped, casting dancing sparks into the velvet sky above.

Then—

A high-pitched squeal broke the hush.

"Wait—wait! That's my mom and dad!" A small black-haired, silver-eyed pup leapt to his feet, his tail wagging like mad. "You're talking about them!"

The pack chuckled in warm ripples as the Oracle gave a soft laugh.

From behind the boy, a shadow stepped into the firelight.

"Careful, cub," came the deep, familiar voice. "You're going to make my ears ring."

"Dad!" the boy turned, beaming. "You were really stooopid, you know."

Hagan raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "So, I've been told."

"You are smarter now!"

"Well," Hagan said with a smirk, "your mom's straightened me out."

As if summoned by his words, Seren appeared beside him, her movements slow but graceful—until the slight sway in her steps betrayed the sheer size of her belly.

"Careful," Hagan murmured, instantly steadying her with an arm around her waist.

"I'm fine," she replied, though she leaned into him with an exhausted sigh.

"Time for bed," he said, nodding at the gathered pups. "Stories can wait for tomorrow."

As they turned away, the boy skipped ahead, chattering to anyone who would listen, leaving his parents in the hush behind the fire.

"Thank the stars she gave them the PG version," Seren muttered.

Hagan snorted. "All the interesting bits edited out."

"Honestly," she sighed, rubbing her lower back. "I've had enough. I feel like a boulder."

"At least you're not as huge as you were with our firstborn," Hagan teased, casting a fond glance at her belly.