"I will start us dinner right now!" the woman exclaimed happily, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "I'm sure you two have quite a few stories to share, and I can't wait to hear them all." She ushered them inside. The warmth of the house was inviting to Soren; he had never been inside a mortal home before. All of the new sights and smells were overwhelming him a little.

"This is a very cozy home," he thought to himself thoughtfully as his gaze dashed from object to object. He had never been inside a mortal home before, and this one was very different from the forest he had called home. He yearns to be with the Lunar Eclipse Pack again; it has been too long since he started the quest with Caspian, Aurora, and Oak. They must complete their tasks to save the life of Luna and restore it once again.

Soren sees Lucius's son sitting on the sofa, reading a book quietly to himself, his gaze fixed on the words on the page. The boy looks up at Soren and smiles shyly before going back to his book. The woman, meanwhile, bustles about the kitchen, preparing a feast fit for two honored guests. She hums softly to herself as she works; her movements are fluid and practiced. The house itself is cozy and inviting, with a warm fire crackling in the hearth and soft rugs scattered across the wooden floors.

Soren never felt this relaxed, but he shouldn't get too comfortable. He has to go back to the spirits and reform them. He has done the task they wanted him to do; he needed to be there for his best friends Caspian, Aurora, and Oak for their trials. They need him as much as he needs them. He hoped they would do well; he knew how strong they were and how much they loved each other. They would make it through anything.

"I hope Caspian, Aurora, and Oak are okay with their trials," he said, more to himself than to Lucius. "They've been through so much already; I just want them to find some peace and happiness." He paused briefly before turning his gaze to the crackling fireplace. "It's strange, you know? I've been with Caspian and Aurora since they were pups, and Oak was just there to look after us growing up in the pack. We've faced so many challenges together, but nothing could have prepared us for what we've gone through in recent years." He sighed heavily, his hazel eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. "I just want to make them proud, you know? I want them to know that I am there for them, no matter what," he said, looking at the woman who was preparing dinner.

Lucius nodded, understanding the bond that Soren shared with his friends. "I'm sure they are. You've always been there for them, Soren, and I know they feel the same way about you. They'll be fine, you'll see. They're strong, just like you." He reassured him with a gentle smile. The woman, sensing their conversation, paused in her cooking and glanced over at them, a soft expression on her face. She knew that Soren was not just their guest but a friend as well, and she was grateful for his presence in their home.

"Dinner's almost ready!" She chirped, a smile dancing on her face. "I hope you two will enjoy it!" Soren nodded, feeling his stomach growl in anticipation. "It smells wonderful." He said this, taking a seat at the dining table. Lucius sat down beside him, his gaze drifting over to his son, who was still engrossed in his book. There was a look of pride in the older wolf's eyes—a mix of happiness and sadness. Soren could sense that Lucius was feeling the weight of his son's future on his shoulders, and it was clear that he was worried about what might come next for the boy.

"Relax, Lucius; your son's future won't happen for a long time. He's in good hands. He has plenty of time to worry about his future when he's older." Soren reassured his friend. He didn't want Lucius to worry too much about his son. He has never been a parent himself, but he understands the struggles of being a parent and how hard it has to be no matter who you are, and he didn't want the father to be anxious about the son's future.

Lucius let out a deep sigh, knowing his new friend has a point; his son is only young and has a long life ahead of him. He should enjoy his time with his son instead of worrying about his future. "You're right, Soren. He's my son, and I want the best for him, but I should focus on the present and worry less until the time comes." He smiled down at Soren, grateful for his wise words.

As Soren took a bite of the delicious dinner prepared by the woman, he couldn't help but savor every flavor in every bite he took. This was the very first dinner he had; wolf-shifters don't have this custom like mortals. He never even sat at the table. "This is wonderful; thank you for making this for me," he said, smiling at the woman as he ate.

The woman blushed at the compliment. "Oh, it was nothing. I'm just glad you enjoy it. We don't get many guests here, so it's nice to have some company." She smiled warmly at Soren. Soren could tell that she was grateful for his presence, and he felt a sense of belonging in this small, close-knit pack. After dinner, the three of them sat around the fireplace, chatting about various topics. Soren listened intently as Lucius shared stories about his journey as a magic user, how he met the woman and watched her bear their only son and child, and when he discovered the pros and cons of fatherhood.

Soren had his fair share of adventures over the years with Caspian, always exploring outside of the pack territory. They had many memories together, some funny, some sad. But they were always there for each other, through thick and thin. As they talked, Soren couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness for his friend, knowing that his son was soon to leave their home and venture out into the world on his own.

"You know, Soren," Lucius said, his voice tinged with both pride and sadness. "I've always told Alistair that he can choose his own path in life. I may not always agree with his choices, but it's not my place to dictate his future. He's strong and loyal like a wolf, just like you." The woman nodded in agreement, a tear trickling down her cheek, feeling emotional knowing her son would leave one day. She cherishes every waking hour with her son.

Soren shouldn't stay here any longer than he needed; he needed to be there for his friends during their trials. He was going to miss them, though. As the night wore on, they continued to share stories and laughter, enjoying each other's company as if it were the last time they would ever be together. There was a sense of closeness between them that Soren had never experienced before.

"I should better get going. I need to be there for my friends trials. They need me." Soren said as he stood up, stretching his legs. The three of them exchanged sad looks, knowing that this was probably the last time they would see each other for a very long time.

"You're leaving so soon?" The woman asked with a pout. "But we haven't even finished our story time yet." She teased, trying to get Soren to stay longer. Soren chuckled and ruffled her hair gently. "I'm afraid I have to go; my friends need me. But I promise I'll come back to visit when I can." He turned to Lucius, extending his hand. "Thank you for taking me in and for sharing your stories and your company. I'll always remember this night." He feels the tears swelling up in his hazel eyes.

Soren hoped one day he would visit these people after the trials and share his stories with them. He's glad he has a new family now. He nodded his head as he felt his friend's hand in his. "I will, I promise. And remember, no matter what happens, I'll always be here for you." They shared a moment of silence, their eyes meeting, before releasing each other's hands.

He nodded at his friend's words, feeling a lump form in his throat. "I will," he replied softly. He turned to the woman, taking her hands in his. "And you, loving lady, thank you for welcoming me into your home. I will never forget your kindness." He squeezed her hands gently before letting go.

Soren turns to leave, but the woman stops him. She hands him a small, intricately carved wooden pendant on a leather thong. "Please take this as a symbol of our friendship. I will always be here for you, just as you are for me." Tears stream down her face as she clenches her hands into fists, trying to fight back the emotions that are welling up inside her. Soren accepts the pendant gratefully, feeling its weight in his hands.

As much as he didn't want to leave, Soren knew he had to. He gave the woman a grateful smile and a nod before turning away. "Farewell, my friend," he said, his voice cracking slightly. "Until we meet again." He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. The woman's eyes widened in surprise, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she returned the kiss, her hand finding its way to his cheek.

"You stay safe out there, you hear?" the woman asked him as she wiped the tears from her eyes. Soren nodded, assuring her that he would. "I'll be here when you come back, Little Wolf. And if you ever need me, just call my name, and I'll come running." He gave her a final nod before turning away, his heart heavy with emotion.

"You take care of Lucius and Alistair for me, okay? They need you more than ever now. I'll be back before you know it." Soren said as he turned around, feeling a pang of guilt for leaving them behind. The woman nodded, her eyes red from crying, but she managed a small smile.

She placed her palm against her forehead, feeling the spot where Soren had kissed her. It was a strange feeling—this ache in her chest that seemed to grow with every step he took away from the house. She never told him her name—not that she could; he was already bound to the gods, but she had a feeling that he already knew it. It was silly, really, to feel so attached to someone she had just met, but then again, she had never met anyone quite like Soren.

"You come back soon," she whispered to herself, watching as Soren disappeared into the night. She sighed, feeling a mix of sadness and hope in her heart. Even though he had only been with them for a short time, it felt like Soren had left a piece of himself behind, and a part of her would always be with him, wherever he went.