Chapter 8
Six months later.
Everything’s different now.
Without the bond, I feel lighter. The shelter’s thriving-creatures from everywhere, almost out of room. Ethan and I are closer than ever. His patience, the way he never pushes-I’m learning to trust again.
‘What’re you thinking?” Ethan wraps his arms around me from behind.
‘How much changed in six months.” I lean back into him.
‘Good changes?”
‘The best.” I turn and kiss him.
We’re watching the sunset turn the ocean gold. Finn and the pups are wrestling on the grass. This is what I dreamed about in my last life.
Mail.” Kate hands me a formal envelope.
An invitation. The Nightfall pack’s new Alpha ceremony. Asher’s taking over.
You going?” Ethan asks.
Yeah. Need real closure.”
I’ll come.”
[wo days later we drive to the Nightfall territory.
The place I lived for ten years-now feels unfamiliar.
The ceremony’s simple. Asher’s fair, well-liked. He’ll be good.
Hazel.” Asher walks over. “Thanks for coming.”
Congrats, Alpha.”
He hesitates. “About Griffin… after he left, he started something. An organization protecting abused supernatural creatures. Mixed-bloods, weak ones.”
freeze. That doesn’t sound like the Griffin I knew.
Is he okay?”
Physically, yeah.” Asher sighs. “But losing the bond hit him hard. He’s changed.”
Relief washes over me. Griffin finally learned respect.
Where is he?”
Asher gives me an address. Canadian border. Small sanctuary.
You gonna see him?” Ethan asks later. No jealousy. Just care.
‘Yeah. Not to restart anything. Just proper goodbye.”
Ethan squeezes my hand. “Go. Some things need endings.”
His understanding makes me sure-I chose right.
Chapter 8
Next day I drive there alone.
Quiet forest. Small cabin. Griffin’s outside helping an injured wolf with rehab. Thinner, but calmer eyes.
He freezes when he sees me.
‘Hazel?”
‘Yeah. Heard what you’re doing.”
He smiles, embarrassed. “Just trying to do something meaningful.”
We walk side by side.
Why’d you come?” He asks.
To say goodbye properly. So we both move on.”
Griffin nods. “Got it.”
I hated you for so long.” I say calmly. “That hate kept me going. Don’t need it anymore.”
You found happiness.” Not a question.
Yeah. Ethan respects me, cherishes me, loves all of me.”
Griffin smiles-real, no pain. “I’m happy for you. Really.”
The regret in his eyes is gone. Just peace.
You okay?”
Learning to accept it. Losing the bond was hard, but it taught me to value every life, respect every choice.”
Something loosens in my chest. He really changed.
I don’t regret breaking the bond.” I meet his eyes. “But I don’t hate you anymore.”
Surprise, then gratitude. “Thank you, Hazel. That means everything.”
We reach a clearing. Purple mountains in the sunset.
Remember Starfall Peaks?” He asks.
Yeah.” Where I jumped in both lives.
I go there to think. Wondered what if I’d chosen differently. Then realized-can’t change the past. Just learn and move forward.”
lis words melt something inside. Not love. Understanding.
I need to go. Ethan’s waiting.”
Griffin nods. “He’s lucky.”
So am I.”
He hands me a small box. Inside-a carved wooden deer, standing free.
What’s this?”
Freedom.” He says softly. “I promise to respect your choices. Won’t bother you unless you need help.”
Chapter 8
Warmth spreads through me. “Thanks.”
Driving away, I feel calm.
This wasn’t about forgiveness. About letting go. I don’t need hate to define me anymore.
Back in town, Ethan’s waiting.
All good?” He asks.
Really good.” I take his hand.
He understands without asking. Squeezes my hand, eyes full of love.
Ready to keep living?”
Couldn’t be more ready.”
wo months later, Ethan proposes on our first date beach.
You sure? I won’t make you forget the past.”
I’m sure. The past is past. I choose now. Choose you.”
Wedding day, I get an anonymous letter.
Wishing you happiness forever. G.”
smile. Not a ripple in my heart. Griffin’s a distant memory now.
than kisses my forehead.
Ready, future Mrs. Blackwood?”
Ready.” I take his hand.
Moonlight spills silver-white through the window.
The Moon Goddess is watching, smiling. She gave me a second life and the right to choose.
‘his time, I chose my path.
Jot fate’s mate, not duty’s bond-the life I really want.
leal freedom. Real choice. Real love.
hat’s what I wanted all along.
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