The palace corridors buzzed with whispers and disbelieving stares as Kaelen carried me through the halls. Word of his miraculous return had spread like wildfire, and shifters lined our path, their faces transforming from shock to relief and joy. Some bowed deeply, others pressed their fists to their chests in salute, while a few simply wept openly at the sight of their Alpha King, alive and carrying his pregnant Luna in his arms.
"Alpha King!"
"He's alive!"
"Thank the Goddess!"
I kept my arms wrapped around Kaelen's neck, feeling every subtle wince as his broken ribs protested the strain of carrying me. Still, his face remained stoic, jaw set with determination as he strode forward with as much dignity as a bloodied, dirt-covered Alpha could muster.
"You really should put me down," I whispered against his ear. "Your ribs—"
"Almost there," he answered, his voice a low rumble against my body. "I'm fine."
