Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

R ochelle stood off to the side of the makeshift stage, her heart racing with a mixture of nerves and excitement. The warm summer breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers through the clearing, mingling with the woodsy, familiar scent of the gathered pack members. The Ironwood trees stood tall and steadfast around them, their leaves rustling softly, almost like they were part of the celebration too. Above, the sky stretched in a perfect blue arc, the sun casting long rays that warmed her face.

Alpha Rylan stood at the center of the stage, his powerful voice carrying over the assembled crowd. “Wolves grow strong, not just when they find their fated mates. Our pack is strong because we support each and every member of the pack, every day, in all that they do. We are more than just individuals; we are a family. And family means lifting each other up, building each other up, and ensuring that no one stands alone.”

The pack listened in rapt silence, their faces lit with pride. Rochelle felt a surge of emotion rise in her chest. Rylan’s words hit deep, echoing everything she’d come to understand over the past months—about herself, about Caleb, about what it truly meant to be a part of this community. She blinked against the sudden prickle of tears, determined to keep them at bay.

Rylan’s gaze swept over the crowd, landing on her. He gave a small, encouraging nod. “Today, I’m proud to be here at the opening of our new pack bank, led by our first bank president, Rochelle Etienne Blackwood.”

A wave of applause and cheers erupted from the crowd, filling the air with energy. Rochelle’s name carried on the voices of those she had grown up with, those she had helped, those who had seen her as both an outsider and a part of their world. She felt the weight of it all—their trust, their belief in her—and it filled her with a fierce determination.

Before she could take her first step toward the stage, Caleb appeared at her side, his presence a solid, comforting warmth. His hand found hers, pulling her gently toward him. When she turned, she was met with the sight of his amber eyes glowing with that familiar light that always made her heart race.

Without a word, he pulled her close and kissed her, a kiss filled with so much pride, so much love, that it made her head spin. Rochelle melted into him. He was very much a part of this shared victory.

When they finally broke apart, Caleb rested his forehead against hers, his voice low and full of emotion. “I’m so proud of you, Rochelle. You did this. You made this happen.”

She reached up, cupping his face with both hands, her thumbs brushing lightly over the rough stubble on his jaw. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you. Not without your support, your belief in me… I wouldn’t have found my way back home.”

"I would've followed you, you know."

"I know."

He smiled, and the look in his eyes sent a warmth through her that she knew would stay with her forever. She kissed him once more, a soft, lingering kiss that held a promise, a shared future. Then she pulled back, reluctantly letting go of his hand as she turned toward the stage.

The cheers grew louder as she climbed the steps. Rochelle’s heart beat in time with the rhythm of the applause. She took her place behind the wooden podium, adjusting the microphone with fingers that still trembled. The faces of the pack members stretched out before her, their smiles wide and their eyes bright. But it was Caleb’s face she sought, and when she found his steady gaze in the crowd, it anchored her, gave her the strength to speak.

Behind him, she saw his brothers, Gideon and Elijah, standing with their mates, Celine and Maize. Liza, the Alpha's mate, waved at her from the side of the stage. The love and support in their expressions sent a rush of gratitude through her. This wasn’t just her victory, it was theirs. It was the pack’s.

“Thank you, Alpha Rylan, and thank you to all of you,” she began, her voice strong, carrying over the gathering. “This bank isn’t just mine. It belongs to all of us. It’s a place where we’ll continue to grow, where we’ll continue to thrive, and where every member of this pack will know that they have a place to turn when they need help. I’ve spent a lot of time finding my own path, figuring out where I belonged,” she continued, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before returning to Caleb. “And I realized that my place isn’t somewhere far away but right here, with all of you. With the people who have supported me, challenged me, and helped me find my way back to what truly matters.”

Her voice softened, her eyes never leaving Caleb’s. “I’m going to do everything I can to make the Ironwood Wolf Pack the strongest, the richest, and most united pack in the nation. And I know that together, we can achieve anything.”

The crowd erupted again, cheers and howls of approval echoing through the clearing. Rochelle knew there would still be challenges ahead, but for the first time, she felt truly ready for them. She had found her place, her purpose, and she had found it alongside the man she loved.