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Avery

A Few Months Later…

The house was still.

Max snored at my feet, tail twitching every so often in his sleep. Inside, the soft creak of the heater was the only sign that time hadn’t stopped altogether. For once, there was no threat. No shadows creeping at the edges. Just peace.

I stood on the porch, coffee in hand, watching the first light stretch across the mountains. It was the same view I’d looked at every morning for years—but now it felt different. Full. Like everything in me had finally stopped aching.

Behind me, I felt her before I saw her.

Jacy.

She padded out barefoot, wrapped in one of my old T-shirts, her hair a sleepy mess, hand resting over the gentle swell of her stomach. Our baby. Our second chance.

She smiled at me like she did every morning now, like I was someone worth waking up for. I still didn’t know what I did to deserve it—but I’d fight to keep it. Every damn day.

“Did you sleep well?” she asked softly.

I nodded. “Better, knowing you’re here.”

She stepped into my arms like she belonged there—because she did.

“I love you,” she said.

“I love you too,” I held her close, breathing her in, grounding myself in the truth of this moment. She was safe. Declan was safe. We were all still standing.

And for the first time in a long time, I let myself hope.

Things would change. Babies would cry. Declan would test his fire. The council would call eventually. But right now? She was in my arms. A future was growing between us.

And I’d burn the world before I let anyone take it from me.

THE END