✨ Chapter 62 – Echoes of Peace
Sunlight warmed Ariana's skin long before she fully woke.
Not the harsh light of battle, nor the cold shimmer of moonfire—
but gentle, soft gold spilling through the infirmary windows.
She stirred, blinking slowly.
Her body felt like it had been dipped in warm honey: heavy, tired, but comforted. The ache in her limbs was deeper than any pain she'd known before, but it wasn't frightening.
It was the ache of healing.
A presence at her side made her turn her head carefully.
Kai was there.
Half-asleep, chin resting against the back of his hand, his golden hair mussed, his clothes rumpled. His fingers were curled loosely around hers as though even unconscious, he refused to let go.
Ariana smiled softly.
"You stayed," she whispered.
His eyes fluttered open instantly, wolf-like as always.
He leaned forward, voice thick with relief.
"Ariana…"
She couldn't help it—her smile widened.
"I'm okay."
Kai's breath left him all at once, like he'd been holding it for two days straight.
"Don't say it like that," he murmured.
"You scared me half to death."
Ariana reached up, brushing her thumb over the edge of his jaw.
"I'm sorry."
Kai covered her hand with his own, pressing it to his cheek.
"Don't be. Just… don't do anything like that alone again."
Ariana met his eyes—a deep, warm gold she'd learned to recognize even when half-shifted.
"I didn't do it alone," she whispered.
"You were here."
Kai swallowed.
Then, unable to stop himself, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
It was gentle.
Barely there.
But it made her heartbeat stumble.
He pulled back slowly, eyes searching hers.
"Welcome back," he whispered.
Her Brothers Arrive
The infirmary door creaked open.
Ariana looked over as her six brothers filed in, all looking various degrees of exhausted, rumpled, and overprotective.
Orion crossed his arms.
"You're awake."
Lucian smirked.
"Good. We were this close to dragging you back through sheer sibling guilt."
Lyr sighed in dramatic relief.
"Finally. I was worried I'd have to meditate over your body for another hour."
Soren pointed a finger at her.
"You owe us. Big time."
Kade grinned, wolfish.
"She looks fine. Look at her. Like she didn't practically break the world open two days ago."
Rheon stepped forward, eyes warm.
"Hey, pup."
Ariana's chest filled with warmth.
"Hey," she whispered.
"I'm really okay."
Orion approached her bedside, one hand resting gently on her head.
"You did well, Aria. More than any of us could have imagined."
Ariana's eyes stung.
Lucian added softly,
"You saved us. All of us."
"And the academy," Soren muttered.
"And an ancient creature older than time," Lyr noted.
Kai shifted uncomfortably.
"And Kai," Rheon added casually.
All eyes turned to him.
Kai blinked, caught off guard.
"Uh—well—"
Orion cleared his throat—loudly.
Kai stood up straighter instantly, like a soldier before a general.
Orion stared.
Kai swallowed.
Then, slowly, Orion offered his hand.
Kai froze.
Then he shook it.
Orion nodded once.
"That's for keeping her alive."
Lucian muttered,
"And for not dying like an idiot when she unleashed her light."
Lyr added,
"You earned a fraction of our respect."
Kade smirked, elbowing Kai.
"Keep doing that and maybe you'll earn the whole thing."
Kai nodded gratefully, voice soft.
"I'll earn whatever you need. I'm not leaving her side."
Ariana's cheeks warmed.
Her brothers noticed.
They pretended they didn't.
For now.
The Academy's Gratitude
Ariana was discharged later that afternoon.
The courtyard had been fully cleared, the moonmark still glowing faintly in the center—
but no longer ominous.
Just peaceful.
A symbol of victory.
Students gathered when they saw her walking across the courtyard.
"Moonborn!"
"She's okay!"
"Look!"
"It's Ariana!"
They weren't cheering in awe or fear.
They were cheering in relief.
In gratitude.
Ariana felt her cheeks flush.
She didn't know where to look.
Then she felt a warm hand slide into hers.
Kai.
"Don't hide," he whispered.
"They're thanking you."
Ariana swallowed and lifted her head.
She gave the courtyard a small smile.
Cheers rose higher.
Her brothers stepped behind her like a protective wall—
but relaxed, letting her take the attention.
The Headmaster approached, robes flowing elegantly.
He bowed.
To her.
The courtyard gasped.
Ariana panicked.
"No—no, you don't have to—"
He smiled.
"Child. You saved this academy. Bowing is the least we can do."
Ariana shook her head fiercely.
"I didn't do it alone."
She looked at her brothers.
The Pillars.
Kai.
The students.
Her heart softened.
"We all stood together."
The Headmaster's eyes gleamed with pride.
"And that, Ariana Sterling, makes your power stronger than any prophecy."
A New Beginning
Later, when the sun dipped low and the sky turned lavender, Ariana wandered onto the balcony overlooking the forest—now peaceful again, the Moonbeast's resting place sealed in light.
Kai found her there, leaning against the railing.
"You disappeared."
"I needed some quiet," Ariana murmured.
Kai stepped beside her.
The wind lifted strands of Ariana's hair, catching hints of silver still faintly glowing in her roots.
Kai studied her face—
the calm in her eyes,
the steady breath,
the soft peace replacing fear.
"You're different," he said quietly.
"But you're still you."
Ariana smiled gently.
"The bracelet kept me from knowing who I really was. Now that it's gone… it finally feels right."
Kai touched her hair, brushing a silver strand behind her ear.
"I liked you then," he whispered.
"And I like you now."
Her heart skipped.
"When?" she asked softly.
"When did you…?"
He smiled faintly.
"The first day you arrived.
When you stepped onto that stage and your power hummed like the moon was watching."
Ariana's breath hitched.
"Before I even knew myself?"
"Especially then."
They stood close enough for her shoulder to brush his arm.
Close enough to hear each other's hearts.
Kai's voice grew soft.
"I don't want to leave your side, Ariana. Not ever. If you'll have me."
Ariana looked at him—
really looked.
At the boy who stood with her through fear.
Who saw her before she saw herself.
Who protected her without hesitation.
Who stayed by her hospital bed for two days.
Who believed in her even when she doubted.
Her hand found his.
"Kai…" she whispered.
"I want you here. Always."
He exhaled shakily.
Then he leaned in—slowly, giving her every second to pull away.
She didn't.
Their lips met—
Soft.
Warm.
Certain.
Moonlight spilled over them, a gentle glow wrapping the balcony in silver.
And when they finally pulled apart, Ariana felt the last remnants of fear fade completely.
She was safe.
Loved.
Home.
With him.
With her brothers.
With the academy.
With herself.
Peace had finally, fully come.