Chapter Fifty.

I wake up warm, surrounded by the steady rise and fall of breathing bodies. Micah’s arm is draped over my waist, Callum’s face is tucked into the crook of my neck, and Elias’s hand rests over my hip, anchoring me in place.

But it’s Theo I feel the most. His strum of contentment coming through the bond.

He’s behind Elias, his body curled protectively around all of us, his breathing deeper, heavier. He’s exhausted. More than just physically—I can feel it in the way his grip tightens ever so slightly when I shift, as if he needs to be sure we’re still here. Still safe.

Something’s changed.

I keep still, listening to the quiet. It’s been so long since we’ve had a morning like this—where no one is on edge, where Callum isn’t retreating into himself, where Theo isn’t pacing the house like a caged animal.

And yet, the air feels… different.

Scents are calmer, soft.

I turn my head slightly, peeking over Elias’s shoulder. Theo is awake. Not looking at me, but at them. At all of us, like he’s memorizing the moment.

I reach out, running my fingers gently through Elias’s hair before letting my hand brush against Theo’s. His gaze snaps to mine, sharp and alert, but then his features soften.

He knows I can tell.

Knows I see the tension lingering at the edges, the weight behind his exhaustion.

But I don’t push. Not yet.

Instead, I squeeze his hand.

For a moment, he doesn’t move. Then, slowly, he lifts our joined hands and presses a kiss to my knuckles.

My heart clenches.

Elias stirs beside me, followed by Micah’s soft grumble as he nuzzles deeper into my side. Callum stretches, blinking sleepily, his fingers instinctively reaching for mine.

It’s the most peaceful morning we’ve had in weeks.

And still, I can’t shake the feeling that something is different.

Something has ended.

And something new has just begun.

~~~~

The nest is warm, filled with the slow, even breaths of my packmates, but I wake up feeling restless. Slipping carefully out from the tangle of limbs, I press a kiss to Callum’s temple before padding out of the room.

The house is quiet in a way that feels different. Not empty. Not heavy with tension. Just… calm. It’s been so long since it felt like this, I almost don’t know what to do with it.

The scent of fresh coffee leads me to the kitchen, where Micah is perched on the counter, scrolling through his phone. He looks up as I enter, pushing a steaming mug toward me without a word.

“You are a gift,” I murmur, wrapping my hands around the warmth of it.

“I know.” He smirks before tilting his phone toward me. “Morgan messaged you, by the way. She called first, but I was half-asleep and told her to text instead.”

That gets my attention. “What did she say?”

“She wants to know if you’re alive.” He grins. “And when you’re coming out of hibernation.”

I groan, setting my coffee down to grab my phone. Sure enough, there’s a string of texts from Morgan.

Morgan: Okay, you get a grace period for being there for your men or whatever, but it’s been FOREVER.

Morgan: I’m starting to think you’ve been kidnapped by your hot packmates and are being held hostage in some weird sex cult.

Morgan: Actually, if that’s the case, ignore me. Live your best life, babe.

Morgan: But also call me. I miss you.

A small smile tugs at my lips as I tap the call button. She picks up before the first ring even finishes.

“Oh my god,” she huffs. “You do remember I exist!”

“I meant to call you yesterday,” I say sheepishly.

Morgan makes an unimpressed noise. “Yeah, yeah. More importantly, how are you? No bullshit.”

I hesitate, gripping my coffee a little tighter.

“I’m okay,” I admit. "Things are better.”

There’s a beat of silence before she exhales.

“Good. I was about to come break down your door.”

I laugh. “You? Breaking into a house of a two Alpha pack?

“I’d like to see them try and stop me.”

And honestly? I believe her.

“So,” she continues, “does this mean I can finally drag you out for something other than groceries? Lunch? Coffee? Day-drinking at an inappropriate hour?”

I hesitate, but not because I don’t want to. It’s just… I haven’t stepped back into normal life yet. Not really.

Morgan senses it. She always does.

“No pressure,” she says, voice softer. “I just miss you, Ivy. And I want you to do something for you.”

I exhale, rubbing a hand over my face.

“Actually… I have a shift at the cafe today, but we could eat after?"

"Its a plan."

I smile.

~~~~

Walking back into the café feels like stepping into another life. The scent of fresh coffee and warm pastries wraps around me like a familiar hug, grounding me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed.

Elias dropped me off. I was expecting him to stay in the corner like the last shift but instead he kissed me on the head and said to text him if I need a ride after I see Morgan.

Anxiety, confusion and hope battle in my tummy.

What happend?

The morning rush is winding down, but the café is still lively—soft chatter, the hum of the espresso machine, the clatter of dishes. It’s comforting, predictable.

Clara spots me from behind the counter, her golden curls bouncing as she does a dramatic double take.

“No way,” she gasps, setting down a tray of mugs. “You’re a ghost. A legend. A myth.”

I snort, slipping behind the counter. “Hey, Clara.”

She grabs me by the shoulders, eyes scanning me like she’s checking for injuries. “You exist.”

“I do,” I confirm, laughing as she shakes me a little.

“And you’re working a shift?”

“Apparently.”

She gasps again, dramatically clutching her chest. “Oh my god, I’m going to cry. Hold on.” She turns toward the espresso machine, pressing a hand to her forehead. “I’m just—so emotional.”

I roll my eyes, grabbing an apron. “You are so dramatic.”

“You love it.”

She’s not wrong.

As I tie my apron, I catch her watching me more seriously.

“You good?” she asks, quieter this time.

I hesitate, but nod. “Yeah. Getting there.”

She studies me for a second before nodding back. “Good. Now, come on. We have a shift to survive.”

By the time my shift ends, I feel… lighter. Not completely, but enough that I’m not dreading the rest of the day.

Morgan is already waiting for me outside, leaning against the café window in oversized sunglasses and a smug grin.

“Look at you,” she teases as I step outside. “A working woman.”

I laugh as we make our way to a small corner bistro a block away. It’s nice—quiet but not empty, warm but not stifling. We slip into a booth, and before I can even pick up a menu, Morgan is staring me down.

“Okay,” she says, pulling off her sunglasses. “Talk.”

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “About what?”

Morgan gives me a flat look. “Babe.”

I sigh again, leaning back. “It’s been… a lot.”

She nods, waiting.

“I don’t even know where to start,” I admit.

“How about the fact that you basically went into lockdown? Or that I had to threaten to show up at your house to even see you?”

I wince. “It wasn’t personal.”

“I know that,” she says, softer. “But I missed you, Ivy.”

The lump in my throat is sudden, unexpected.

“I missed you too,” I whisper.

Morgan exhales, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand.

“So,” she says, voice lighter. “You’re finally resurfacing. What now?”

I hesitate, but only for a second.

“I think… I think we can get back to normal,” I admit. “Or whatever our version of normal is.”

Morgan grins. “Good. Because I have so much gossip to catch you up on.”

And for the first time in a long time, I want to hear it.

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Sorry I disappeared for a bit. Things are abit crazy here.

But I'll update as much as I can, at the very least once a week if not more ❤️