Page 56 of Fated Wolf's Destiny

Sheriff Barnes steps forward, his presence calm but commanding. “We’ll handle it from here. The law still has some teeth in Shadow Hollow.” He glances at me, his expression softening. “I asked the medical examiner to perform some additional tests, and it seems these bastards—or someone associated with them—introduced a poison into Arthur’s system that mimicked a heart attack.”

I nod, a wave of relief washing over me. The burden I’ve carried since Arthur’s death feels lighter now, though not entirely gone. Those who took him from me have been subdued—at least in the Nightshade territory—but the words, the warning, lingers in my mind like a shadow.

The clinic smells like antiseptic and fresh paint, the renovations complete. I run my fingers along the edge of the reception desk, its smooth surface soothing. Blue sits at my feet, his tail wagging lazily as he watches me move around the room.

It feels different now. Not just because of the physical changes, but because of me. I’m not the same woman who came to Shadow Hollow—broken—with a mission to uncover the truth. I stand here now stronger than ever, ready to carry on Arthur’s legacy.

I know Ryder is here before the bell above the door jingles. I turn to see Ryder stepping inside. He fills the space with his presence, his eyes immediately finding mine.

“Looks like you’ve put things right,” he says, his voice low and warm.

I smile. “The clinic is open again. I belong here.”

He steps closer, his gaze holding mine. “You always belonged here—with me. I was just too stubborn to accept it.”

My breath catches, the intensity in his words wrapping around me like a promise. I nod, unable to speak. He reaches out, his hand brushing my cheek, and for a moment, the rest of the world falls away.

“Not stubborn, just overly protective.”

Later that evening, back at the estate, the fire crackles in the center of the Nightshade Pack’s meeting ground, the flames casting flickering shadows on the faces of those gathered. I stand at Ryder’s side, my heart pounding as the Elders step forward, their expressions a mixture of reverence and uncertainty.

Tanis speaks first, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. “Bella Stone, you stand here today as mate to our alpha andmistress of our pack. You’ve proven your courage, your loyalty, and your strength. For generations, your family’s name was marked by shame. Tonight, we begin to heal those scars.”

The pack murmurs in agreement, the sound rippling through the clearing. Ryder’s hand finds mine, his grip firm and reassuring.

“We accept you into the Nightshade Pack,” Tanis continues. “Not as an outsider, but as one of us. Your place here is earned and undeniable.”

“It doesn’t hurt that my brother gave you no choice,” quips Lucas, earning a growl from Ryder.

A swell of emotion rises in my chest as I step forward and the moment sinks in. Ryder squeezes my hand before letting go, his gaze steady as he watches me.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice strong despite the lump in my throat. “I never thought I’d find a place I truly belonged. I promise to honor and protect it with my heart’s blood.”

The pack erupts into howls, the sound filling the night air, and I feel a warmth spread through me. I turn to Ryder, his eyes gleaming with pride.

As the howls die down, Ryder steps closer, his voice low and meant only for me. “This is just the beginning, Bella.”

The fire crackles, the pack surrounds us, but all I can feel is the bond between us—a bond forged in fire and unbreakable.

LUCAS

The morning sun stretches its golden fingers across the Cascade Mountains, the light breaking through the thick canopy and illuminating our territory in soft hues of amber and green. I leanagainst the porch railing of the Nightshade lodge, watching Bella and Ryder stand at the edge of the overlook. Ryder’s hand is on her lower back, protective but not overbearing, while Bella gazes out over the expanse below, her expression a mix of awe and something deeper—acceptance, maybe.

For a moment, I let the sight of them sink in and then move to join them. There’s something magnetic about the way they stand together, like two puzzle pieces finally fitting into place. It’s enough to make even a cynic like me believe in all that fated mates talk the Elders love to preach about.

“Is the whole brooding thing in you and Ryder’s DNA?” Bella’s voice cuts through my thoughts. She doesn’t turn to look at me, but the grin in her tone is clear.

“Brooding?” I ask. “I prefer the term ‘thoughtfully observing.’”

Ryder throws me a sharp glance over his shoulder. “Thoughtful, my ass. You’re eavesdropping.”

“Guilty as charged.” I grin, stepping closer. “But let’s not pretend you didn’t drag me into this whole save the pack mission. Someone has to play devil’s advocate.”

Bella laughs softly, the sound lighter than I expected after everything she’s been through. “What’s on your mind, Lucas?”

I sigh, leaning against the tree stump nearby. “Just thinking about the future. The pack. What comes next.”

“What does come next?” Bella asks, turning to face me. Her eyes seem to pierce right through me as if she can see straight to my soul—my brother is a lucky wolf.

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