The walk back to wolf territory took half the time the journey out had taken.
There was a lightness in the group that hadn't been there before—a sense of purpose finally realized, of obstacles cleared, of the horizon opening instead of closing. Even Drakar moved with something that might have been contentment, his massive tail swinging on both sides, his ruby eyes scanning the forest with the unhurried patience of a creature who had waited centuries for things and could wait a little longer.
Sally walked beside Granite, her hand resting on his fur like she needed the contact to believe any of this was real. She'd been quiet since the border, which was unusual enough that Alex kept glancing back to check on her.
"I'm fine," she said the fourth time he looked. "I'm just... processing."
"You're allowed to process."
