Page 33 of Wolf’s Providence (The Shadowridge Peak #3)

The early morning sun spilled across the peaks, painting the rugged landscape in hues of green and gold. From where I stood, I could see the whole valley below—our valley. The wind carried the faint scent of pine and earth, the familiar grounding scent of home.

I could hear some of the pack already up and about. Doc had been right. When word spread that Caleb had presented himself to the Pack Council as alpha of Shadowridge Peak, the few who remained from before had returned.

Together they rebuilt their community, and not one of them had rejected me. They embraced me as the wife of their alpha.

Behind me, the cabin Caleb had built with his own hands stood tall, a blend of practicality and beauty, much like him. I smiled, feeling his presence before he even spoke.

“Lost in thought?” His voice was warm, and I turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his hair tousled and his eyes soft in the light of dawn.

“Just thinking about how far we’ve come,” I said.

He stepped closer, his hand slipping around my waist. “Do you regret it?”

“Not for a second,” I said, my voice steady.

The bond between us wasn’t what it had been in the beginning, fraught with uncertainty and the weight of expectations. It had deepened, matured, becoming something more profound than either of us had imagined. We weren’t mates—our connection didn’t feel like destiny’s decree. It felt like a choice, one we made every day, to stand by each other, to fight for each other, to love each other.

And through that choice, something unexpected had grown.

“It’s strange,” I said, my fingers brushing against the skin of his arm. “Your blood…it’s like it’s woven into me, even now. I can feel you in ways I never could before.”

Caleb nodded, his gaze distant for a moment. “It’s not just the bond,” he said. “It’s you. The way you’ve healed, the way you’ve…adapted. Maybe Doc was right. Maybe the pack isn’t just a thing for shifters.”

I remembered all those months ago, feeling better and healthier when Lorna had looked after me after my break-in. I had been better then too.

Since coming here, since being part of his world, my body had become stronger. At first, I thought it was just the environment—the clean air, the physical demands of life on the peak. But now, I wasn’t so sure. “Oh my God, I’m a pack animal?” I said with laughter in my voice.

“ My pack animal,” Caleb growled, nuzzling my neck.

“It’s like your blood and being part of this pack has rewired something in me,” I told him thoughtfully. I wasn’t cured of ME—I knew I never would be—but I was definitely healthier. “I don’t have a wolf, but I feel the strength of yours. And yours…” I hesitated, looking up at him. “It feels stronger too.”

His smile was small but full of meaning. “You keep me grounded, Willow. That’s not just a feeling—that’s a fact. The darkness inside me isn’t clawing for control anymore. You gave me back the balance.”

We stood in silence for a moment, letting the truth of those words settle between us.

“We’ve got something no one else has,” he said finally, his voice low. “A bond we’ve built, not one that was handed to us.” His hand caressed my swollen stomach. “And if that means our children might have the chance to live in both worlds…then maybe that’s why we found each other.”

Children. The thought filled me with a quiet awe, not fear. Because Caleb wasn’t just talking about carrying on a legacy—he was talking about building a future together.

“Do you think they’ll be shifters?” I asked, curious, glancing down at my pregnant belly. “The shaman seems convinced they will be…but…I don’t see how.”

“Maybe they will,” he said, his lips quirking into a smile. “Maybe not. But whatever they are, they’ll be ours. And that’s enough for me.”

I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. This was our life—a bridge between two worlds, one we’d fought for, one we’d chosen. Our pack didn’t shun humans; we didn’t welcome them recklessly, but for those who wanted to raise their part-shifter children here, they were welcome.

The sound of footsteps pulled us from our moment. Eamon appeared at the edge of the clearing, his expression torn between exasperation and amusement. “You two planning to stand there all day, or are you coming down to breakfast with the rest of us? There’s a list of shit that needs doing this morning,” he reminded Caleb.

Caleb snorted, his arm tightening around me. “You’ve got it handled, Beta.”

Eamon grumbled something unintelligible under his breath, but the fondness in his eyes was unmistakable as he turned and headed back down the trail.

Caleb pressed a kiss to my temple, lingering. “Ready?”

I smiled, looking out at the horizon. The future was still uncertain, still filled with challenges we couldn’t yet see. But we’d face them together.

“Always,” I said, and we started down the mountain, side by side.

As the cabin faded into the distance, I glanced back one last time, feeling a deep sense of peace. Our story wasn’t over—it was only just beginning.