BloodMoon: Captivated by the Forbidden Lycan Alpha
Chapter 252: A HARD GOODBYE

Chapter 252: A HARD GOODBYE

{"Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again."}

The first light of dawn kissed the treetops, brushing the edges of Paradise in gold and rose. The air was thick with the hush of a world just waking, birds murmuring in the distance, the wind stirring the branches overhead. We stood at the edge of the coven’s forest border, where cobblestone gave way to the packed earth road that would lead us back to the coast. Back to the Bay.

My home. But this time, I was not returning as the Alpha who left to take down an evil; I was returning with them. Freyr stood at my side, hood down, silver-blond hair catching the wind, his eyes steady and clear. He was not just my mate, he was my anchor, my answer.

And behind us stood the rest of our unexpected family Rou, arms folded and already scowling at the morning sun; Rolan, quiet as ever but alert with Qadira, Rita, adjusting the strap of her crossbow like she was going on a hunt instead of a journey; and Flora, humming softly, flowers blooming in the wake of her steps.

"Are we doing this?" Rou muttered, eyeing the forest one last time. "Back to shifter lands?"

"You’re free to stay behind," Rolan said dryly.

"I didn’t say that," Rou snapped. "I am so happy to go back to my mate.

Freyr leaned in closer, his voice just for me. "You’re nervous."

"I’m not."

"You are."

I looked at him. "I have no idea if they will accept you, but I am determined.

"Sounds like the beginning of a good story," he said, his hand brushing mine.

A quiet fell over us as we all looked down the road, morning fog curling low around our boots.

"Let’s go," I said.

And we did. Step by step, we left behind the sacred trees and moonstone towers of Paradise and walked toward the cliffs and crashing waves of the Bay. The road would take a day, maybe two, and then we would stand before the gates of my homeland.

The sun had climbed higher, burning off the last of the mist. The road beneath our boots was warm now, the sound of leaves brushing overhead and the distant call of hawks the only things breaking the peace.

We had been walking in easy silence, the kind that only came with shared exhaustion and trust. Freyr walked beside me, fingers brushing mine every so often, like he could not help it. Behind us, Rita was whistling a song I did not know. Flora had picked a crown of ferns for Rolan, who was pointedly ignoring it while it rested crookedly on his head.

And Rou?

He had been quiet for a while, which was suspicious in itself.

I should have known.

"So," he said suddenly, casually — too casually. "I figured now is a good time to mention something. I have a mate."

Dead. Silence.

Even the wind paused to listen.

Freyr blinked, mid-step. Rita’s whistle died in her throat. Flora gasped like she had just seen a spirit. And Rolan, normally unbothered, came to a full stop and turned slowly.

"You what?" Rita blurted, eyes wide.

Rou, unbothered as ever, shrugged and adjusted the strap on his shoulder. "Got a mate, and since we are going back home, I bet she will be waiting for me. "

My lips twitched because yes. He had told me. Casually. Over a hunk of dried meat and a dying campfire, like it was just the weather.

"You... have a mate?" Rolan repeated, as if needing confirmation from the gods themselves.

"Yeah." Rou scratched his jaw, tone maddeningly calm. "Turns out that whole soul-bond thing is real. And intense."

"Who?" Flora asked, stepping forward with wide eyes. "Rou, who is it?"

Rou’s lips curled into a slow, wicked grin. "You’ll meet her soon enough."

"’She?’" Rita repeated, narrowing her eyes. "Not even going to give us a name?"

"Nope," Rou said cheerfully. "Gotta keep some mystery in life."

Freyr shook his head, trying not to laugh. "You’re impossible."

"Try ’unpredictable.’ Has a nicer ring to it."

Rolan crossed his arms. "You always said you would die before getting another mate.

"Yeah, well." Rou shrugged again, but something softened behind his smirk. "I met them and... didn’t feel like dying anymore."

That silenced everyone a second time, but now the mood shifted. More awe than disbelief.

Rita came up beside him and smacked his arm. "You better not scare them off, you grump. I want to meet her."

"No promises." Rou laughed.

And just like that, we were walking again. But now with more curiosity buzzing around than before.

Freyr leaned in close. "Did you keep that from everyone?"

"I gave him a night to tell them himself," I murmured. "Figured it’d be more fun this way."

He smiled. "I like chaos."

"I know you do."

And somewhere behind us, Rou was already pretending he had not just upended the entire rhythm of the day, which, knowing him, was exactly the point.

The forest thinned, giving way to the open highland cliffs that marked the edge of Bay Shifter territory. From here, I could already smell the salt in the wind and hear the distant cry of gulls echoing off the waves.

But more than that, I sensed the energy shift, and I realized that we were not alone. A line of guards stood at the border checkpoint, their armor glinting silver and black under the morning sun. Banners flapped behind them; the mark of the Bay Shifter Pack emblazoned in deep crimson against onyx. And standing at the front, sword sheathed at her back and boots planted firmly in the earth, was Commander Belle.

She was taller than most, her wild dark curls tied back in a warrior’s knot, sharp eyes scanning the tree line until they landed on Rou. The world held its breath. "ROU!" she shouted, the command falling away from her voice in an instant, replaced by something raw and relieved.

She ran, and there was no hesitation, no smirk, no teasing remark. Rou moved and met her halfway in a sprint, and when they collided, it was like watching thunder kiss flame. She threw her arms around his neck, and he lifted her right off the ground in one fluid motion. Then she kissed him, not soft, not tentatively real.

Like the kind of kiss that said finally, and the guards around them erupted into cheers, howls, and fist-pounding noise. The rest of us just stood there, stunned.

"I—" Freyr blinked beside me. "I take it back. This is better than chaos."

Rita’s jaw dropped. "Wait. Commander Belle? Rou’s mate is Commander Belle?!"

Rolan started, arms crossed. "I don’t even know how to process this."

Flora giggled. "It is romantic! And terrifying."

Rou finally pulled back just enough to look at her eyes, softer than I had ever seen and he whispered something only she could hear. She smiled, brushing her hand down the side of his face, then turned to look directly at me.

"Alpha Tor," she called, voice once again all command. "Your return is long overdue."

I stepped forward, Freyr beside me. "We bring allies," I said, motioning to the group behind me. "And stories."

"I imagine," she said, grinning before returning her attention to Rou. "But first, I’m reclaiming mine."

And god’s help me, Rou blushed. Freyr leaned in. "Well. That explains everything."

As the cheers faded, the guards still grinning and murmuring amongst themselves, they began to pull back, forming a wide perimeter that gave us space. A gesture of respect. Of acknowledgement. Maybe even awe. Commander Belle stepped forward, her arm still around Rou’s waist, her expression shifting smoothly from joy to official command. She looked at me, and the other eyes were sharp, voice clear.

"Forgive the...enthusiastic reception," she said with a wry smile. "You weren’t expected until dusk."

"We had a good time," I said simply, though my gaze drifted to Rou, who still had not stopped grinning.

"Clearly," Belle replied. Then her tone softened. "Welcome home, Alpha."

The words hit me harder than I expected. Home. It had not felt like it in a long time,e not until now. She turned toward the group, acknowledging each of them with a subtle nod. "You are among friends. Beta Spark sent me personally to receive you and offer safe passage through the territory. Your presence is expected and protected."

"Spark sent you?" Freyr asked, brows raised.

Belle’s eyes twinkled. "Let’s just say the council is aware of the...complicated nature of your return."

Flora whispered to Rolan, "Complicated means dramatic. And dramatic means fun."

Rita elbowed her but could not hide her smirk. "Has the Beta prepared the stronghold?" I asked.

Belle nodded. "He has. Guest quarters are ready, and your return will be announced formally this evening. There is also a private meeting at the Royal Garden. Spark thought it best to keep things small, at least at first."

Rou snorted. "Small never stays small."

"No," Belle said, glancing at him fondly. "Not when you’re involved."

She stepped back, giving us space once more. "You will have time to rest and clean up before we arrive. You have travelled far, and from what Spark said, you carry the weight of something dark behind you."

"We do," Freyr said softly.

"And yet," Belle added, meeting his gaze, "you carry light, too."

Then I nodded. "Let’s go home."