Page 10 of A Sunwoven Ascent

“I hope you don’t mind the intrusion,” Evelyne added, wincing a little. “My curiosity is gnawing at me, and frankly, I’d rather bother you two than let it chew through my skull.”

“Not an intrusion at all,” Nathan said, dipping his head with quiet respect. “The mate of my alpha is always welcome.” He patted the damp grass beside him.

Evelyne smiled and sank down, tugging her leathers into place.

“We were just enjoying the wind,” Nathan said, looking out over the camp and the rolling hills. “I’ve missed this.”

Reyna hummed softly, the sound more acknowledgment than agreement. Evelyne decided to take it as a win—better than silence. She remembered what Kaldrek had told her: losing a mate wasn’t just grief. It was like losing a piece of your soul. Even still bound to Nathan, Reyna’s wound would never truly heal.

“I understand,” Evelyne said gently. “There’s something comforting about the open air. It almost feels like home. I miss mine as well, though I am still far from it.”

Nathan’s expression grew solemn with sympathy. “I promise we will get you back. Our alpha has never broken his word. If he says Caltheris, then Caltheris it will be.”

The promise warmed her, though the thought of Noskari reaching anywhere near her family did not. Evelyne forced the fear down and swallowed.

“I trust him. And I’d love for you all to see Caltheris. You’ll fall in love with it.”

Nathan’s grin curved slyly. “I’m sure your family will absolutely adore meeting your new… furry entourage.”

Reyna snorted at that.

“Well, we’ll just have to do something about those fangs. Imagine the look on their faces when you pop them out.” Evelyne laughed.

The sound of quiet footsteps drew near, and Reyna sat upright at once, her eyes darkening as she turned. Cillian approached with his palms open, the posture almost surrendering.

“Cillian,” Evelyne said, startled. “Are you—”

“I’m fine,” he interrupted quickly. “I only came to see what the earlier commotion was about… and to find you. I did not mean to intrude. I can come back later.”

“You will sit with us.”

Reyna’s voice cracked like a whip. Evelyne had never heard that kind of steel in her before. Surprise flashed across Cillian’s face, but he obeyed, lowering himself carefully beside his sister. Only then did Reyna lean back into Nathan again, and his arms slipped around her as though returning to their rightful place.

“You are afraid to speak to us,” Reyna continued, her gaze locking on Cillian’s. “But you needn’t be. We will not harm you.”

Evelyne glanced at Nathan, and her breath caught at the way he looked at his mate. It was more than love. It was pride, the kind born of watching someone endure the unbearable and remain unbroken.

“A wolf who is bonded,” Reyna said softly, “is tied by a thread stronger than blood. Mind to body. Heart to soul. You feel their love, their desire, their fear, their joy. Their voice warms your chest, their scent lingers across miles. They are your purpose to live, to fight, to love. Ty was my mate.”

Her voice never faltered. Evelyne felt every word sink into her, because she knew that truth. She had felt it herself the moment her bond with Kaldrek snapped into place—an overwhelming flood of trust and belonging. She sent warmth down the bond to him now, letting him feel her love.

Reyna’s voice grew sharper. “And you killed him.”

Cillian’s hands tightened in his lap, but he did not flinch as Reyna pressed on.

“I felt every ounce of bravery, love, and fear in him as he fell. Not fear of death… but fear of leaving me. Of leaving Nathan.”

Cillian bowed his head in silence.

“But I do not hate you.” Reyna shook her head firmly. “We do not hate you.” She glanced at Nathan, who nodded once, then back to Cillian. “We hate her.”

The word hissed from her lips; Evelyne noticed she could not bring herself to speak Vaelora’s name.

Reyna leaned forward. “And you were the only one who could defeat her. For that, I am eternally grateful to both of you.”

She extended her hands. Evelyne took one without hesitation. Cillian paused, but then reached out. Reyna closed her fingers over theirs and squeezed, before releasing them and bowing her head.

Cillian’s face broke, a single tear sliding down his cheek. “Thank you,” he rasped.