Chapter Thirty

Kiran had successfully escorted all the prisoners back to the castle, where they would undergo examination and receive assistance to return home. Many of them had been taken far away from their families, and he understood the long journey that lay ahead for them.

However, his men were eager to help ensure their safe return. While Kiran’s world still faced challenges, he took solace in the knowledge that no more Dark Wolves could be created. He knew he would have to confront the remaining threats if there were any left, but as long as people could feel a little safer, that was progress.

After leaving the infirmary, Kiran was headed to his study to reflect on the recent events. However, as he walked down the hallway, he noticed someone approaching from the other end.

“Gwyn?” he whispered, his voice filled with surprise, and their eyes locked in recognition.

She came back to us? his wolf questioned, hope and curiosity stirring within him.

But Kiran was cautious not to let his emotions run wild. He needed more than hope to believe that Gwyneth had chosen to stay. He waited for her to draw nearer, his gaze fixed on her, seeking an explanation for her return. Although she wore a faint smile, he could see that she had remained guarded.

“What are you doing here?” he inquired, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.

“I found this,” she replied, holding up a peculiar, square object that he couldn’t identify. It seemed to be made of glass, and he accepted it, examining it from different angles.

“What is this?”

“The controller,” she revealed.

Kiran studied the device before returning it to her, and Gwyneth took it back. “But if you have the controller, why are you still here?”

Gwyneth offered a small smile, leaving him baffled.

“Look,” Gwyneth began, positioning herself at his side as she activated the controller. Soon, it emitted an unusual light, causing him to step back slightly. Gwyneth chuckled softly and manipulated the screen.

“Is this magic?” he asked, his curiosity piqued.

Gwyneth chuckled again. “No, just science. But see.”

She pointed to two words labeled “World Setting” and then clicked on something, revealing a list of names. Kiran’s head spun as he tried to process the information, but he remained silent, watching as she showed him the various names.

“What is this?” he finally inquired.

“It seemed like your world wasn’t the only one they explored. They wanted to find a new home to shape and mold, and it seemed like this one was the best option,” Gwyneth explained, lowering the controller and turning to Kiran.

“I see…” Kiran responded, absorbing this revelation.

“I have found out which one that takes me home.”

“All right,” he whispered, still processing the information. “But you’re still here.”

Gwyneth paused for a moment before continuing, “Because I realized something.”

“What?” Kiran inquired, intrigued by her words.

“Kiran, they moved back and forth between time and worlds. I can see that,” she said, scrolling through the controller once more. “Do you know what that means?”

He shook his head, unable to keep up with the implications of her discovery.

“It means I can come back,” she confessed.

“You mean go home?”

“No, come back here,” she clarified.

“Here?” Kiran whispered, needing to voice the question to truly grasp its significance.

“Yes, here. I can go home, fix our problems, and then I can come back here.”

“You would come back?” he asked, his voice filled with hope.

“I want to come back,” she affirmed.

Kiran felt his heart beating even faster, unable to contain his joy and relief. Without thinking, he lifted her off the ground and kissed her passionately. Gwyneth laughed happily and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“You’re crushing me,” she teased.

“I don’t care,” he responded, holding her even tighter, his face buried in her neck. “You will come back?”

“I will come back.”

“And then never leave again?”

“Never leave again.”

Kiran gently placed Gwyneth back on her feet and cupped her cheeks in his hands.

“You promise?” he asked, his eyes filled with love.

“I love you,” she confessed.

Kiran was taken aback by her words, unprepared for their impact. A broad smile crossed his face, and he laughed happily before kissing her, pouring all his love into the embrace.

“I love you too,” he whispered.

“I promise I will come back. Nothing will stop me,” she vowed, looking up at him with determination.

“I believe you.”

“This is my world,” she declared. “But I need to save the old one first.”

“And you will,” he reassured her. “I know no one is stronger or more resilient than you.”

Epilogue

Five years later.

“How many did you find?” Kiran asked, looking at Serian.

“It was a tiny group. I believe we have almost cleared out all of them all over Gira,” Serian said with a smile.

“Good. The people feel safer already. I know things are finally calming down, but I want to assure them that all the Dark Wolves are gone.”

“We will make it happen, my king,” he replied, and the two of them shared a smile.

“Thank you. Now go rest a bit. We will patrol again in a few days.”

Serian nodded and then left the study. Kiran got up from his chair and went to fill his cup with some wine. It had taken years to hunt down most of The Dark Wolves, but things were starting to become peaceful. They found nothing but small groups of wolves now, who often didn’t leave the forest much. He hated that there was no way to save the poor ones who had been turned into such beasts, but it was what it was. He had to focus on the people he could save.

Yet every day he missed a very important person, and there were moments he wondered if he would ever see her again. But he knew Gwyneth was a woman of her word. She had told him she loved him before she had returned home or… wherever she had gone. She had made no promise of when she would return, but Kiran knew in his heart she would.

Kiran was standing by a window, looking out as he heard the door to his study open. “Something else, Serian?” Kiran asked with a little smile.

“It isn’t Serian.”

Kiran’s heart stopped in his chest, and then he slowly turned, lowering his cup. There by the door stood his beautiful Gwyneth. He couldn’t believe his eyes. It had been so long, and she had changed. Her hair was longer, now in a ponytail, and her skin was a deeper golden color. She seemed to have grown a little thinner, but she wore the clothes from his time and world. She looked more than beautiful. She looked like a dream that had become a reality.

“Gwyn?” he whispered.

A pause stretched between them, then they ran to each other. Kiran picked her up, holding her close and almost shaking. Or maybe they were both shaking. He heard her laugh happily, as she was finally in his arms again. Kiran pulled back and kissed her over and over, so happy to see her again.

“Are you real?” he asked.

“I’m real.”

“You’re here?”

“I’m here,” she said and placed a hand on his cheek. “I did it, Kiran.”

“What?”

“I saved my world. I changed everything. It’s so beautiful.”

“Maybe you should show me one day.” He chuckled.

“Maybe.”

They looked at each other with tears in their eyes, as they were finally reunited after years.

“Tell me this means you’re here to stay.”

“I am,” she whispered. “I’m never leaving again.”

The End