Chapter 72
Ember
Today is the last day of the Gathering.
Kellan and I act normal—laughing, joking with the wolves, mingling with the elders, exchanging goodbyes with those who've begun packing up. The scent of dew and fresh pine clings to the cool morning air, and the sky is streaked in soft blush-pinks and sleepy gold.
You wouldn't guess that only hours ago, we ripped rogue vampires limb from limb on the outskirts of Moonsand.
I'm glad we dealt with them before they ruined the night. It would've tainted everything. Moonlight Revelry is sacred—something we only get once a year. And while I'll never be the type to cry over tradition, I do recognize how hard everyone works for this week of peace.
Especially Kellan.
He's right beside me now, handing off a piece of roasted meat to a young pup who's shyly clinging to his mother's leg. His eyes are crinkled from smiling, hair mussed from the wind, like he didn't just destroy something twice his size last night with his bare teeth.
