Chapter 7 Thirty - three . The age he had died before . But now - he had made it . I smiled faintly . " Of course . I'll be there . " That evening , the packhouse smelled of roasted herbs and sweet onion bread . Home . Mother hugged me tight , apron still on . " Clara , welcome home . " My throat burned . In this life , no one blamed me . No one screamed . No funeral . Just laughter . " You've gone soft , " she teased , wiping my eyes . " It's only dinner . " It wasn't until I saw the extra chairs set around the table that I understood . My mother had invited Killian's parents too . She wanted us all together - as if the years of silence and loss could be washed away with one meal . As if she still hoped I might give him a chance . At the table , over soup and small talk , his father finally spoke of Selena . " She wasn't cast out for nothing . First , they caught her sneaking into another wolf's den - more than once . When the truth spread , the Council stripped her bond and drove her from the pack . " His mother's tone sharpened . " Betrayal was only the start . Later they uncovered worse . She hadn't only been unfaithful - she'd been meeting with a rogue- born wolf , one exiled for blood crimes . When she tried to use him to rise again , he turned on her and left her half - dead in the boundary woods " Her eyes narrowed " After that , she had no name , no pack . She clung to a rival Alpha as his mistress , hoping for shelter . But his Luna cast her out before the whole court . From there , she drifted like a shadow , unwelcome anywhere . " I lowered my gaze . " Karma always finds its way . " The doorbell rang . I opened it - and froze . Killian stood there , older , steady , his eyes burning with disbelief . Chapter 7 " Clara , " he breathed . " You're alive . " I managed a nod . " I am . " For a long moment , he only stared - then smiled , soft and shaken . " I waited . Ten years , I waited . I thought the Moon had taken you forever . " Behind me , his mother's voice floated warmly . " He never gave up on you , Clara . Not once . " We sat again , the air thick with everything unsaid . Later , when his father raised a glass , he said , " Clara , why not give Killian a toast ? For making it to thirty - three . " I lifted mine , steady . " To peace . To joy . To a life fulfilled . Killian's gaze held mine . He raised his glass . " And to you , Clara . Mse stands - I'll protect you , always . " The crystal rang as glasses ched . Laughter followed . And in that moment , the last of my old love quietly loosened . For the first time , it was simply ....