Chapter 86 The Treaty is signed 2

Chapter 86: Chapter 86 The Treaty is signed 2

Talia’s POV

If this treaty held, then generations of wolves would grow up without knowing war.

But if it failed, nothing would change. Instead, the raids would continue, the wolves would keep dying, and the packs would keep suffering. But I would not let it fail.

Alpha Stone gestured to one of the guards. "Bring the Luna a chair. She should not have to stand while we sign."

The guard moved toward a wooden chair in the corner, but I held up my hand.

"That is not necessary," I said. "I came for the negotiation, not to relax. Once we have signed the treaty, I will be on my way back home."

Alpha Stone stared at me for a moment, then he nodded. "As you wish, Luna."

Once the agreement was ready, Alpha Stone picked up the quill and dipped it in the ink. His hand was shaking, but he did not stop. He leaned over the first scroll and signed his name with slow, deliberate strokes.

ALPHA STONE OF THE STONECLAW PACK.

The letters were jagged, and uneven, but they were legible. He set down the quill and stared at his name for a long moment.

Then he signed the second scroll.

His hand trembled as he wrote, and a drop of ink splattered on the parchment, but he did not stop. He finished his name and let out a heavy sigh.

When he finished signing both papers, he set the quill down and stared at his name again as his jaw trembled, and his eyes glistened. He had just signed away his pride, his anger, and his need for revenge. But the good part was that he had also signed away his pack’s suffering.

"It is done," he whispered.

I looked at the guards as they exchanged glances. Some looked relieved, while others looked uncertain.

Kaelen stepped closer to me, with his shoulder brushing mine. His presence was warm and steady, and I leaned into it without thinking.

I did not know if he noticed, but I did not care.

The guard picked up both scrolls and brought them to me.

I took them and read each one carefully to make sure that the terms were all there: the food shipments, medicine, a shared hunting ground, and a mutual defense pact. Everything I had offered, and everything we had fought for, was all listed on the parchment.

My hands were steady as I held the quill.

Kaelen picked up the small pot of ink for me, and I dipped the quill in the ink and signed my name on both scrolls.

TALIA ASHFORD BLACKTHORN FROST, LUNA OF THE SHADOWFANG PACK.

The name felt heavy on the page. Heavy and real. I was not just Talia from Cresswood anymore, and I was not just the girl in the storage room. I was Luna. I had signed a treaty, and I had made peace. The thought made my chest ache with sweetness.

I looked at the writing on the parchment.

The letters were smooth, bold, and confident. I set the quill down and handed one scroll to the guard.

"This one is for Stoneclaw Pack," I said, looking directly at Alpha Stone. "Keep it safe."

The guard bowed and placed the scroll on the table near Alpha Stone’s throne.

I held the other scroll in my hands. This one was for Shadowfang Pack, as proof of the signed treaty, and proof that I had succeeded.

The treaty was done now, and peace was made.

The guards looked at each other, unsure what to do. Some of them still had confusion on their faces, while others looked relieved.

Kaelen handed the pot of ink to a guard, and his hand rested on my lower back, stroking it gently, as if to say, well done, Talia.

Alpha Stone looked at me, with his tired eyes that had softened drastically.

"I do not know why I agreed," he said. "But I trust you to keep your end of the bargain, Luna."

He paused for a moment, before saying, "I am sorry I underestimated you, Luna."

I looked at him and nodded slowly.

I knew he agreed because something inside me had woken up. And I knew that it was something that had been sleeping for a long time.

I did not understand it yet, but I did not let that bother me right now, because I would find out soon enough.

"The terms will be fulfilled," I said. "You have my word."

Alpha Stone nodded. "Then we are done here."

I turned to leave, and Kaelen fell into step beside me.

My legs were shaking.

I did not know how I was still standing, because the adrenaline in my body was fading fast, leaving behind a bone-deep tiredness. But I kept walking, and I just made sure to put one foot in front of the other, just like always, and just like in Cresswood.

Some things never changed, but some other things had. One of the things that changed was me.

"Talia," Alpha Stone called.

I stopped at the large door, and looked back without saying a word.

"You are welcome in Stoneclaw territory anytime," he said. "As an ally. Not as an enemy."

I nodded with a small smile. "Thank you, Alpha Stone."

Then I turned and walked out of the room, and the doors closed behind me.