**Gaia's POV**

The cheers still echo in my ears as I turn to face Evangeline.

"Thank you," I say. "For everything. For taking me in. For believing in me."

Evangeline pulls me into a fierce embrace. "You earned this yourself, Gaia."

I look to Owen. "And thank you, Alpha Owen."

He inclines his head with genuine warmth. "You've proven yourself a hundred times over."

But it's the faces of my Volcano Valley ...