nobody knows how the story ends

Rhyme felt glad, but also relieved that Acere might leave Abaven on a good note. He knew that the pale warrior had clashed with Shaye, but Rhyme still felt a deep respect for a man he might have considered a friend. The slate marked wolf had little time for such relationships with his pack and his children, but Acere had come to hold a special place in Rhyme’s heart.

”"I don't have a time planned,” Rhyme nodded as the massive wolf continued. Raising a pack from nothing held its difficulties, but even without certainty of when Acere still seemed confident. There was much work to be done, but Rhyme had to be ready at a moments notice for Acere to leave. There would need to be more promotions, and the slate mark wolf would have to think about recruiting his own heads to replace the valuable ones leaving.

”It certainly won't be the same around here without the three of you.” Rhyme had his own offspring to fill the void of apprentice now. He hoped that what the two yearlings learned from him proved to be useful.