Into the Alpha’s Keep Chapter 126: 126

POV Fenrir Dăneşti

She needed some time to get over everything, to understand that Hunter would never return, that no one would threaten her life again. And, gradually, get used to the death of those she cared about and saw depart.

I was turning one of the guest rooms in my house into a library for her. I wanted it to be a place where she felt safe, at peace, and loved every detail. Once, I promised her that she would have everything she wanted, that she would get many books. And I would keep that promise.

"So, what if I do something to distract her?" he asked after a while in silence.

I stared at him, curious and totally interested in the subject.

"What do you mean?"

He shrugged.

"How about a wedding?"

"A wedding?"

He nodded with a gesture.

"You didn't have a very good experience with weddings." He winked. "Catalina died days before. And Savannah didn’t fare any better, being rejected, humiliated, and seeing her parents killed on the day that was supposed to be the most important for her."

I furrowed my brows and rested my elbow on the armrest of the chair, propping my chin in my hand.

"So, you think we should get married?"

He pulled out a chair and sat down, as if he couldn't control the excitement generated by his crazy idea.

"Exactly! Savannah deserves a little lightness in her life, especially after everything that’s happened." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the edge of the table. "Think about it, you’re already mated, she’s already the queen of the Dăneşti, and that’s an undeniable fact. A wedding would just be a symbolic gesture for both of you. And besides, I think our people deserve a celebration after these difficult times."

On one hand, he was right.

I didn’t care about a wedding; Savannah was already mine, and no one would dispute that. But she was ready to marry Hunter; maybe, for her, it was important. And if it was important for my wolf, then it was for me too.

And besides, the celebration would serve to distract us and bring a little lightness to the pack.

"Alright," I agreed. "But I want it to be a surprise for her."

"Are you sure?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "What if she decides to run into the forest in the middle of the ceremony, realizing what a terrible mistake it is to have to spend the rest of her days by your side?"

I rolled my eyes.

"She hasn’t had a choice about this for a long time."

He laughed.

"Neither have you! Since she came into your path, you’ve never been the same."

"I hope that’s a good thing," I muttered.

"It is," he said. "I’m just saying that neither of you had a choice once your paths crossed."

I paused for a second.

Indeed, there hadn’t been. Of all the places in the world, all the directions in the forest where Savannah could’ve gone, she came straight to me.

Because we belonged to each other, and this meeting had been written in our destiny.

I smiled and nodded.

"Let everyone know that a wedding is happening and they need to prepare. I want it to be the most special day of Savannah’s life, or at least, one of her best days."

"With pleasure," he agreed, getting up from his chair in one swift motion. "Let’s make this day more than special."

The mating ritual was above everything, even the wedding ceremony. But Andrei was right, Savannah deserved good memories, and I would replace every bad one she had, starting with the one about her wedding.

For the next years of life, with her by my side, I would dedicate myself to making her happy until the past was nothing more than a bad memory.

***

POV Savannah Bowen

"Come on, we have a surprise," Alexandra called, pulling me towards a more remote part of the village.

Mihaela was on my right, her arm linked with mine, while Alexandra walked ahead of us.

I looked around, my heart racing as I realized we were moving too far from what I considered safe.

I squeezed my eyes shut and took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

Hunter no longer existed, there was no more danger.

Wandering around was peaceful, there was no risk anymore. No one was coming to kidnap me or harm any of my friends.

Controlling my breath, I followed the two of them to wherever they were taking me. It was in the direction of the lake, but not close enough to it.

"I have no idea what you two are up to," I whispered, looking down at my feet, crushing the fine snow of the late winter.

The weather wasn’t as cold as it had been lately; it was becoming increasingly pleasant.

I lifted my face and looked up at the sky, feeling the rays of the sun warming my skin like a cozy kiss.

The days seemed lighter. And I knew it was only because of Fenrir, who lived to please me and try to make me forget all the bad things that had happened.

It wasn’t easy, but following his advice, living one day at a time, things just... happened, day by day, as time passed, pushing the past farther from the present.

We entered an open field, with fewer tall trees around. Alexandra stopped next to a tall rock, intertwined her fingers in front of her body, and smiled.

"During the time you two were gone, we decided to create a memorial," she said, casting a glance at the rock before looking back at me. "Everything happened so quickly and so intensely. We wanted something to remember the lives of the people who were part of our journey."

I took unsteady steps closer to the rock, not letting go of Mihaela’s arm. My heart was racing, and my throat tight with emotion.

"What?"

"It’s just a tribute to those who were with us and are gone," she coughed. "Mihaela and I were responsible for it, but the whole pack helped."

I got close enough to the rock to notice Anton’s name carved just above in large, cursive letters. It was etched into the stone as an eternal reminder of his presence among us.

Tears filled my eyes.

"It’s a memorial for those who left their mark on our lives, a remembrance of those who no longer walk among us," Mihaela said. "Anton deserved this."

I gasped, unable to speak.

They looked at me, their eyes filled with emotion and solidarity. I felt the weight of his death, but also the strength of our family, the unity we had built.

I sniffled, rubbing the tips of my fingers over my eyes to wipe away the accumulated tears.

"I think he’d complain that his name isn’t high enough," I joked.

Alexandra laughed, her eyes sparkling.

"That would be so like him."

"Yes, it would," I agreed.

It was a moment just for us, one that represented the longing we felt for him, and would feel forever, but also acceptance.

Anton was gone, but he would forever be remembered and never forgotten.

I approached the stone and extended my arm, touching the spot where his name was carved with the tips of my fingers. Below it was Ruda’s name, followed by other wolves’ names that I never had the pleasure of meeting.

"He’d be happy, after complaining a bit," I murmured, my lips trembling in a sob.

Alexandra stared at the name of her long-time friend.

"Anton was the first person I told about Mihaela," she whispered. "He supported me and said that love overcomes everything and is above all. Then I told Fenrir and Andrei, and received their support, my family’s support." She sniffled and turned to me. "But it still felt incomplete. I needed a friend, a sister to tell. You came and changed everything, made everything perfect. You brought hope to our people and turned a male who was unhappy into the happiest of wolves. Anton saw that, Sava. He died knowing that, despite everything, things would work out for all of us."

"His death... was my fault." I shook my head, pressing my lips together, unable to contain the tears that were pouring from me.

"It wasn’t," she disagreed, stepping closer and taking my hands. "Anton died fighting for a cause, just like we all would. He died from evil, from betrayal, but never because of you." She laughed, tears streaming from her eyes. "That damned wolf is probably right now, in the valley of the dead, laughing at us, having fun with our suffering."

"If they’re watching us like it’s TV, he’s definitely doing that," Mihaela agreed.

"Let go of that, Sava. Anton is fine, happy and content that everything worked out, that we’re okay, and that the pack is stronger than ever. He was a born Dăneşti, he fought for our people with claws and teeth."

"Always, and forever, for Dăneşti," Mihaela whispered.

I squinted my eyes and turned back to the stone, my body shaking with uncontrollable sobs.

I placed my hand on the rock.

"For every drop of blood. For those who are gone, for every wolf we lost, we will stay strong. For those still with us, we will fight until the end. May their memories inspire us, may their voices guide us. Anton will never be forgotten, and his courage will continue to sustain us, today and always."

With a heavy sigh, I allowed the feeling of peace and gratitude to envelop my heart. Anton and the other wolves who had passed would live forever in our memories, and this memorial was a promise that we would never forget them.

My heart warmed before his scent reached me. I turned around and found Fenrir leaning against the trunk of a tree further away, his arms crossed in front of his body.

"I felt your sadness and came to check," he said, raising an eyebrow. He looked at the stone before turning back to me. "Alexandra and Mihaela were brilliant," he praised.

Alexandra clicked her tongue, mocking. Mihaela and I laughed.

"Yes, they were," I agreed, walking towards him with determined steps.

"Point for Alexandra!" declared the omega, making a victory gesture with her hand.

"Always so full of herself," Mihaela said.

"Always so the love of your life," I heard Alexandra retort, while Mihaela responded with a pout.

I looked at Fenrir as I walked toward him.

I felt the weight dissipate as I got closer to him, as if his presence carried a lightness that calmed my soul. By his side, everything seemed more beautiful, more luminous, as if his love brought color to my days and hope for the future we were about to build together.