A month of quiet was something none of them had expected. Spring came in softly at first, then all at once, turning Libby into something that felt almost unreal in its peace. No raiders. No emergencies. No tense patrols or midnight howls across the ridge. Just people living. More shops opened their doors. More cars rolled down the streets, slow and casual. Kids chased each other in front yards. Fresh paint appeared on porches. It was the kind of ordinary that would’ve made them cry six months ago.
Thane stood on the porch that morning, clawed hands resting on the railing, watching a couple of townsfolk argue playfully about lawn edging. Mark stepped out beside him with a mug of coffee, tail flicking lazily behind him. Varro followed, stretching his back until it popped in a long, satisfying crack.
“Been quiet,” Mark said, taking a sip.
“Too quiet?” Varro asked.
“No,” Thane said, closing the door behind him. “Perfectly quiet.”
Thane took one last look at the street below, the soft buzz of spring drifting through town, then turned to the two wolves beside him. “Alright,” he said, stretching his shoulders. “Let’s go check the dam. Been a month since we’ve put eyes on it, and I want to see how the new crew’s settling in. After that, we’ll swing up to Eureka and make sure Tarrik hasn’t chewed anyone’s car in half.” Mark huffed a laugh, and Varro’s ears perked in quiet interest. “Grab your gear,” Thane added, stepping off the porch. “Should be an easy run. Just… making sure the world’s still turning the way it should.”
They loaded into the Humvee, the engine humming to life, and started toward the dam. The road was green and alive on both sides, the forest shaking off winter like an old coat. When they reached the turnoff, all three wolves leaned forward almost at the same time.
There were pickups. Three of them. Parked neatly in the gravel. Fresh tire tracks. Tools laid out. A dirty thermos on a tailgate. Footprints from actual daily work.
The entire grounds looked… healthy. No weeds, no peeling paint, no sagging rails or rusted plates. It looked like a facility that had never gone dark for even a day.
Mark blinked. “This doesn’t feel real.”
Thane opened the door and stepped out. “Let’s take a look.”
Inside, the transformation was shocking. What had once been dusty, dim, and echoing now smelled faintly of disinfectant and oil. Every fluorescent bulb glowed bright and white. The floors gleamed. Tools were organized. Protective gear hung on hooks. Someone had even put a little ceramic frog next to the sink with a handwritten sign taped to it that said, Wash Your Hands — Thank You!
Mark stared at that frog a good long moment, then murmured, “This might actually break me.”
They walked into the control room and found the older man from Eureka — the former BPA worker — standing beside one of his helpers. Both were leaning over the dials, tweaking a setting and reading outputs. The older man looked up with a grin wide enough to split his face.
“There he is! The miracle wolf!” he said. “C’mon in. Look at this place!”
Thane stepped inside and actually had to pause. The dust was gone. Every surface gleamed. The monitors showed stable, even output.
“You boys won’t believe the work we’ve done,” the older man went on, flipping through a clipboard. “Turbines are fully balanced. We replaced five bearings. Cleaned the intakes. Tuned the governor. Realigned the sensors. And look at that panel — look at it! Level all the way across. Haven’t seen that in fifteen years.”
Mark leaned over one of the screens. “This looks perfect. I mean… perfect.”
The helper nodded proudly. “Been coming in every day. Just like old shifts. Seven to three. Coffee at nine.”
Varro ran his claws lightly along the counter edge. “Feels like… it was never broken.”
“That’s the idea,” the older man said with a laugh. “We’re havin’ a blast. Didn’t think I’d ever see these systems lit up again. Hell, didn’t think I’d see my station running without a hundred warning lights screaming at me.”
“You’ve done incredible work,” Thane said sincerely.
“Hey,” the man said, waving him off, “you handed us our lives back. Least we can do is polish ’em a bit.”
They chatted a few more minutes — about repairs, routines, plans, the sheer joy of doing something normal again. When Thane, Mark, and Varro finally headed back out to the Humvee, the older man shouted after them, “We’ll see you tomorrow — turbine number two’s getting new brushes!”
Mark laughed. “I love that guy.”
They climbed back onto the road and continued toward Eureka.
The town was buzzing — not loud, not chaotic, just alive. The sidewalks were clean. Families walked with shopping bags. A delivery truck trundled past with crates stacked high. The schoolyard was full of kids shouting happily over a game of tag.
The city hall parking lot was full and people were going in and out like it was any other day from the old world. Inside, the secretary gave them a familiar smile.
“Tom’s at lunch across the street at the diner.”
They stepped back out and crossed the street, and even before entering the diner, they could smell burgers, onions, and fresh fries. A good smell. A happy smell.
Inside was packed. Every booth filled, people laughing, forks clinking. And near the back, in a booth that looked too small for two men that large in spirit, sat Tom Anderson and Tarrik — plates full, drinks sweating on the table, the two of them genuinely laughing.
Tom was pointing at Tarrik’s claws. “You’re telling me it’s like having climbing gear on your hands all the time?”
“Is good for climbing,” Tarrik said proudly. “And fighting. And opening stubborn jars.”
Tom barked a laugh. “I need that in my life.”
That’s when the three wolves approached. Tarrik saw them instantly and brightened.
“Alpha!” he said warmly, tail giving a small, controlled flick. “Good to see you.”
Tom scooted over, patting the booth. “Sit down, sit down — get some burgers… and some fries. You’ve got to try them with the new fryer oil. It’s a revelation.”
They joined the table, the waitress arriving immediately like she’d sensed wolves in need of meat. Burgers hit the table fast. Hot. Perfect.
“So,” Thane asked, “how’s Eureka?”
Tom grinned. “Better every day. Tarrik’s been a godsend. Knows the land better than anyone, knows where we’re blind. Makes patrol routes like he’s been doing it his whole life.”
Tarrik shrugged modestly. “I like helping.”
“And you’ll love this part,” Tom said, lowering his voice like he was winding up a campfire story. “Couple weeks ago, had a skirmish just north of town. Raiders came down from Canada. Didn’t know what they were walking into.”
Tarrik puffed up slightly, but didn’t interrupt.
Tom continued, animated. “They roll up in a pickup truck — three guys in it, armed — thinking they’ll take what they want. Tarrik here walks out onto the road and just stands there, paws open, staring ’em down.”
Tarrik added, “One shot me.”
Mark’s eyes widened. “Shot you?”
Tarrik thumped his chest. “Felt like mosquito. Annoying.”
Tom nearly choked on a fry. “He laughed, Thane. LAUGHED. Jumps on the hood, claws right through the metal — I’m talking four clean holes, like someone punched rebar through it — and launches straight into the shooter.”
Tarrik nodded. “He drop gun. And fingers.”
Tom snorted, picking up the story again. “Then Tarrik reaches into the back seat, grabs the second raider, breaks his arm like he’s snapping a pretzel, shoves him out. Then — I swear to God — he reaches through the window, grabs the driver by the collar, and PHYSICALLY THROWS HIM thirty feet. Guy hit a tree, went down like a sack of flour.”
Tarrik looked quietly proud. “Town safe.”
“It was like a movie,” Tom said, leaning back. “An absolute blockbuster.”
Thane shook his head with a smile. “I’m glad you’re putting your strength to good use.”
“I protect here,” Tarrik said. “I live here. Is good.”
They finished their burgers in easy conversation. Light jokes. Updates on town growth. Kids’ school projects. Plans for restoring more buildings. It all felt normal. Wonderful.
When they finally stood to leave, Varro lingered a moment, stepping closer to Tarrik. He rested a firm, steady hand on the big wolf’s shoulder.
“I forgive you,” Varro said softly.
Tarrik froze. His breath hitched. Tears welled immediately — unhidden, unashamed. He nodded once, deeply.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
They stepped out of the diner a few minutes later, full-bellied and lighter-hearted. The Humvee rolled back toward Libby with the windows cracked, the fresh spring air sweeping in. As they passed the dam again, two of the pickup trucks were still parked outside. Two figures waved from the entrance before heading inside with purpose.
Thane waved back, smiling at the sight. “Looks like they’re settling in just fine.”
Mark rested his head back against the seat. “This valley’s healing.”
Varro looked out the window, voice soft and certain. “And we are too.”
The Humvee carried them home, the world around them humming with life that once felt impossible.