Kamrynn’s POV
Aryna’s voice filled my mind as my eyes slowly scanned the concerned faces around me. “You did it, Kamrynn,” she said, her tone warm and full of pride. “I always knew you could. You’ve proven once again that there’s nothing you can’t achieve when you set your mind to it.”
I smiled faintly, still shaken from my journey to the underworld but comforted by her encouragement. Rmonica, who was still embracing me tightly, finally stepped back, her eyes glistening with tears of relief.
“You’re back,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “You’re really back.”
Kyven moved forward, gently taking my arm to steady me. “Kamrynn, how do you feel?” he asked, his eyes searching mine. “Did… did you convince the sorceress to lift the curse?”
I nodded, though my body still felt like it was made of lead. “It’s done. The curse is broken.”
Kyven’s brow furrowed in concern. “Are you sure? What if… what if she tricked you somehow? We have no way of knowing for certain.”
Before I could answer, Thalia stepped forward, her face illuminated with a strange mix of hope and disbelief.
“I can feel it,” she said softly, almost as if speaking to herself. Then her voice grew louder, more confident. “I feel so much lighter now. It’s like…” She paused, searching for the right words. “It’s like a heavy weight that I’ve carried all my life has been lifted. Ever since I was little, I’ve felt this… dark presence hovering over me, like a storm cloud. I felt it around my parents too. But now it’s gone. It’s really gone.”
Kyven’s expression softened with relief, and without a second thought, he pulled Thalia into a tight hug. “If the curse is really gone,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, “does this mean… we can be together now?”
Tears welled up in Thalia’s eyes as she nodded vigorously. “Yes,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Yes, Kyven. We can finally be together.”
The joy on Kyven’s face was infectious, and I couldn’t help but smile as he turned to me. “Kamrynn,” he said, his voice filled with gratitude, “thank you. Thank you so much. I don’t even know how to begin repaying you for everything you’ve done for us.”
Thalia stepped closer, her hand clutching mine tightly. “You risked your life for us,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for what you’ve done.”
Before I could respond, Alpha Orion descended from his pedestal, his normally stoic face softened with something that looked like humility. He stopped in front of me, inclining his head slightly.
“Kamrynn,” he began, his deep voice reverberating through the Grand Hall, “you have done more for this Pack than anyone could have asked of you. Even before you officially became one of us, you went out of your way to protect and support your Alpha, Luna, and fellow Pack members.”
His gaze swept the room, ensuring everyone was listening. “You have been both a shield and a guiding light for us. Your bravery, selflessness, and determination have not gone unnoticed. For all of this, you deserve to be rewarded accordingly.”
Alpha Orion’s voice rang through the Grand Hall, cutting through the cheers and murmurs like a bell. He stood tall, commanding attention as he looked directly at me.
“From this day forward,” he began, his voice steady and authoritative, “Kamrynn is no longer just a member of the Blue Bell Pack. She is our Guardian.”
The crowd stilled, the weight of his words settling over them. My heart raced as his declaration sunk in.
“As Guardian,” Orion continued, his tone resolute, “Kamrynn will serve as a beacon for this Pack. With her gift of clairvoyance, she will assist me in making wise, strategic decisions that ensure the prosperity and safety of our people.”
He gestured to me, his piercing gaze unwavering. “She will work closely with the Beta, serving as a bridge between leadership and the Pack. Kamrynn will provide insights, guidance, and clarity in times of uncertainty. She will also be a voice for our people, listening to their concerns and bringing them to the attention of the Alpha.”
The crowd began to murmur, their whispers tinged with awe and approval.
Alpha Orion raised his hand, silencing them. “Her role will be critical in maintaining peace and fostering progress within our Pack. Kamrynn has proven her worth time and time again. She has stood against challenges most of us would falter under. She has risked her life, her very soul, to protect us. For that, she deserves not only our gratitude but also our unwavering trust.”
As his words washed over me, my chest tightened. I wasn’t sure whether to feel honored or overwhelmed.
Rmonica stepped forward, her gentle smile filled with pride. “Kamrynn, you are truly special. You’re not just any wolf; you’ve been kissed by the Moon Goddess herself. Your strength, resilience, and compassion are gifts, not just to you, but to all of us. I know that with you as our Guardian, the Blue Bell Pack will thrive in ways we’ve never seen before.”
The room erupted into applause and cheers, the sound echoing like a rolling wave. My legs felt weak as I processed their words, the weight of my new title settling over me.
“Kamrynn,” Orion called out over the noise, his voice softer now but still commanding. “I believe everyone here would like to hear from their new Guardian.”
I swallowed hard, stepping forward as hundreds of eyes turned to me. My heart pounded in my chest, and my hands trembled slightly at my sides. But as I took a deep breath, I forced myself to focus.
“I never had any grand ambitions,” I began, my voice shaking slightly. “I was just a simple girl with simple dreams. But life brought with it a series of misfortunes, things I couldn’t control-that threatened to break me, and recovering from those hardships wasn’t easy.”
I paused, scanning the sea of faces. “When I came to the Blue Bell Pack, all I wanted was a chance to live a peaceful life, to raise my children in safety and happiness. I didn’t come here expecting greatness. But now…” My voice grew stronger. “I’ve been given an opportunity to do more-to be more.”
I looked directly at Orion, then Rmonica, and finally at Kyven and Thalia. “I am incredibly grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me. I promise to take my responsibilities seriously. I will do everything I can to protect this Pack, to guide it, and to never let you down.”
The crowd roared, their applause thundering through the room. People rose to their feet, cheering and clapping.
Rmonica pulled me into another hug, her voice warm as she whispered, “You’ve earned this, Kamrynn. You’re an inspiration to us all.”
Thalia and Kyven joined in, wrapping their arms around me. “Congratulations,” Thalia said, her voice filled with emotion.
“You’re amazing,” Kyven added, grinning broadly.
Their words warmed my heart, but as the crowd surged around me with congratulations and praises, I began to feel the weight of everything crashing down.
The exhaustion hit me like a tidal wave. The days of torment and captivity under Draven. The desperate fight to convince Orion of Draven’s treachery. The harrowing journey to the underworld and the emotional toll of freeing Xoria. All of it piled onto my shoulders, dragging me down like lead.
My legs wobbled, and a dull ache spread through my body, radiating from my core. My head felt light, as though it were detaching from my shoulders, and my vision blurred around the edges. The voices of the crowd became muffled, like distant echoes in a cavern.
Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my breaths came shallow and labored. The world spun, tilting at odd angles. I blinked rapidly, trying to stay upright, but my body betrayed me.
“Kamrynn?” Thalia’s panicked voice cut through the haze, but it was too late.
The ground rose to meet me, and darkness enveloped my vision. The last sensation I felt was the warmth of someone’s hands catching me as I fell, and the last sound I heard was Thalia’s frantic cry. “Kamrynn!”