The days following Caleb's death felt like a dream—a world stripped of color and warmth, as if winter itself had seeped into Lily's bones. Silver Pine had been saved, yet to Lily, the cost was almost unbearable. Caleb was gone, her Alpha, her teacher, her mate, and with him, a part of her heart that could never be healed. The pack mourned alongside her, but no one felt the loss as deeply as she did.
For weeks, she stayed in her room, barely speaking, the quiet of her house heavy with absence. She felt the weight of her role pressing down on her—she was the Luna, now leader of Caleb's pack, the one meant to carry on his legacy. Yet each time she closed her eyes, she saw his face, his last, lingering smile. A smile that reminded her he believed in her, even when she didn't believe in herself.
As winter began to fade, a strange dream visited her one night. She was standing in the forest, the silver light of the full moon casting an ethereal glow over everything. Shadows danced around her, yet she felt no fear, only a deep sense of calm. And then she heard his voice, a soft whisper on the wind.
"You are stronger than you know, Lily. This is only the beginning."
She turned, and there he was—Caleb, his figure shimmering in the moonlight, his gaze steady and warm. He looked just as he had when he was alive, but there was a peace in his expression that made her chest ache.
"Caleb…" she whispered, reaching out, but her hand passed through him like smoke.
"You were born for this, Lily," he said, his voice carrying a power that resonated within her. "The pack needs you. Silver Pine needs you. You carry our legacy now."
A tear slipped down her cheek, but she nodded. She felt his love in that moment, as real and as strong as the day they had fought side by side. She felt the bond between them, unbreakable, even by death.
The dream lingered as she woke, and for the first time, the ache in her heart felt lighter. Caleb hadn't truly left her. He was part of her, of the bond they had shared, a presence that would guide her in the days to come.