My Sister Stole My Mate, And I Let Her

Chapter 520: Chapter 520 THROUGH THE MOONLIT FOREST

SERAPHINA’S POV

The hours slipped by almost without my noticing.

One conversation melted effortlessly into another, dances became stories around the fire, and stories gave way to shared laughter as the stars slowly wheeled overhead.

Before I realized how late it had become, the full moon had climbed to the very center of the sky.

Then, somewhere beyond the bonfires, a deep horn echoed across the pack grounds.

Its solemn note rolled through the forest, and almost instantly, the celebration quieted. Conversations faded, dancers drifted apart, and every wolf turned toward the northern tree line.

Excitement swept through the clearing, quiet but contagious, spreading from wolf to wolf until it seemed to pulse through the air.

The pack run.

Kieran’s gaze met mine, a smile tugging at his lips as he offered me his hand.

“Shall we?”

My pulse quickened as I took his hand.

I had dreamed about this moment more times than I could count, and I thought I was going to burst from the intensity of the anticipation thrumming through me.

The crowd parted naturally as we passed, and hundreds of Nightfang werewolves fell into formation behind us with the effortless precision of a tradition they’d repeated their entire lives.

Families stood shoulder to shoulder with warriors, elders beside newly awakened wolves, while excited pups bounced impatiently between their parents’ legs.

For the first time in my life, I wasn’t taking my place somewhere in the back.

I stood beside my mate at the head of the pack.

The breeze carried the scent of pine and earth as the moon bathed the forest in silver light.

Alina stirred within me, her anticipation brushing warmly against my own.

‘Ready?’ Kieran’s voice rumbled affectionately through our bond.

I glanced sideways at Kieran one last time before closing my eyes.

‘Ready.’

The Shift flowed through me as naturally as drawing breath. Silver unfurled across my skin, warm and exhilarating as muscle and bone reshaped until my paws touched the earth and every sense burst gloriously awake.

I looked down at myself, feeling the surge of wonder that filled me with every Shift, even now.

Ashar stood beside me, magnificent in his golden coat, his eyes fixed on mine with unmistakable adoration.

And then his deep voice resonated clearly in my mind.

‘Hello, Little Silver.’

Alina lowered her head and brushed her muzzle gently against his. ‘Hi.’

Daniel came racing toward us, weaving effortlessly through the gathered wolves before skidding to a stop in front of Ashar and Alina.

Though he couldn’t shift yet, there wasn’t a trace of disappointment on his face. If anything, his eyes shone even brighter as he looked up at us.

“Hi,” he breathed.

His fingers disappeared into the thick silver fur along my neck before moving to stroke Ashar’s sleek golden coat with equal reverence.

A warm rumble vibrated deep in my chest as Alina lowered her head, nudging gently against his shoulder.

Beside me, Ashar did the same, sandwiching our son between us until Daniel burst into helpless laughter.

"Okay, okay," he laughed, trying—and failing—to push away two very affectionate wolves. "I’m getting squished."

Alina licked his cheek in response.

"Mom!"

Ashar’s amused rumble echoed through our bond.

Daniel wiped dramatically at his face before looking from one of us to the other, his smile softening.

"I can’t wait until I’m old enough to shift." Wistfulness threaded through his excitement. "One day it’ll be Ashar, Alina, and me—all running together."

My heart swelled as the image bloomed in my mind, bright and beautiful.

Alina brushed her muzzle against his forehead while Ashar rested his against Daniel’s shoulder for a brief, silent moment.

‘Soon,’ I thought, wishing more than anything that he could hear me.

A sharp whistle sounded from farther down the clearing.

"Come on!" one of the older kids called. "The kids’ race is starting!"

“Move your ass, Blackthorne!” Ava yelled. “The sooner we start, the sooner you can eat my dust.”

Daniel’s head whipped around before he looked back at us one last time, his eyes newly glinting with challenge.

"Wish me luck!"

Then he took off toward the waiting group of children, his laughter ringing through the night as they disappeared between the trees together.

Ashar watched him go before lifting his head toward the moon.

Silence settled naturally over the rest of the pack.

Then he howled.

The powerful cry rolled across the mountains like thunder, wild and triumphant.

I answered instinctively, my own voice rising beside his until our songs intertwined beneath the moon.

One by one, every Nightfang wolf joined us, hundreds of howls weaving together into a single breathtaking chorus that echoed through the valley.

When the last note faded, Ashar glanced sideways at me, mischief glinting in his eyes.

‘Race you.’

Before I could answer, he shot forward.

‘Cheater!’

Alina launched after him, laughter spilling freely through our bond as the forest rushed to meet us.

Wind streamed through my fur while moonlight flickered between towering pines.

Fallen logs became effortless leaps, winding trails disappeared beneath swift paws, and the pack thundered after us like a single living heartbeat stretching through the forest.

There were no enemies waiting in the darkness, no blood staining the earth, no desperate race against time.

Only family.

Only home.

Only joy.

I thought back to the night I’d run with Lucian’s pack. They’d made me feel welcome, but I’d still been trapped in human skin. I was still an outsider.

Tonight, I belonged.

I was Alina.

I was running beside my mate. Leading my own pack through the moonlit forest.

This was what we’d fought for.

So children could laugh without fear, so families could gather beneath the full moon instead of hiding from what lay in the shadows, so an entire pack could run together simply because they were alive.

Ashar brushed his shoulder against mine as we ran.

‘Happy?’

I looked at him, then at the endless forest stretching before us and the countless wolves following at our heels.

‘More than I ever thought I could be.’

Our howls rose together once more, carried toward the full moon that had watched over our struggles, our battles, and, at last, our triumph.