“You probably will at some point.” Davis crossed back to his chair. “And he’ll probably disappoint you too, because that’swhat people do. Mates don’t come with a guarantee of a perfect life, but they always have a good one. If you’re both willing to work through your issues, to communicate, to compromise, and to care about each other’s needs - that’s what makes a mating work. Not perfect compatibility. Effort.”
The tightness in Connor’s chest eased slightly. Not gone, but manageable.
“There’s a part of me that’s scared with how well it’s already going,” Connor admitted quietly. “This is everything I never thought I’d have. What if I fuck it up?”
“Then you fix it. Talk to Leyden, work it out together.” Davis smiled, showing his teeth. “You’re not alone anymore, Connor. You’ve got a mate who understands you, a pack that respects you, and a best friend who’s one territory over if you need him.”
Connor managed a small smile. “You’ll visit?”
“Probably enough to annoy the crap out of your young Alpha.” Davis stood again, offering his hand. “Ready to make this official?”
No. Yes. Connor didn’t know. But he’d chosen this path when he accepted Leyden’s claiming bite, and he wouldn’t turn back now.
Connor took Davis’s hand, letting his friend pull him to his feet. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
/~/~/~/~/
It was just a simple ceremony in the office - Connor and Davis facing each other, Leyden standing to the side as witness.
Davis held both of Connor’s hands, his grip firm and steady. “Connor, you have served my pack with loyalty, strength, and honor. You have been loyal since your first shift and grew into one of our finest warriors. I release you from your bond to my pack with gratitude and respect.”
Connor’s wolf stirred, sensing the shift coming.
“Do you accept this release?” Davis asked.
“I do.” Connor’s voice remained steady despite the emotion churning through him.
Davis squeezed his hands once, then let go. The absence of touch felt symbolic - connection breaking, pack bonds dissolving.
Leyden stepped forward, and Connor turned to face his mate. Leyden’s pale gray eyes held warmth, certainty, and absolute confidence in what they were doing.
“Connor,” Leyden said, his alpha voice filling the room. “I offer you a place in my pack. Not as enforcer, not as subordinate, but as alpha mate - my equal, my partner, my mate. Do you accept?”
Through their bond, Connor felt Leyden’s devotion, his commitment, his unwavering faith that they would build something strong together.
“I accept.”
The shift happened immediately. Connor’s wolf recognized Leyden’s authority, accepted it, welcomed it. The pack bonds that had connected Connor to Davis’s territory his entire life dissolved like morning mist, replaced by new ties to Leyden’s pack, Leyden’s land, Leyden’s wolves.
Connor swayed slightly, and Leyden caught his elbow, steadying him.
“You all right?” Leyden murmured.
Connor nodded. The disorientation faded quickly, replaced by certainty. This was his pack now. Leyden was his alpha. And Connor belonged here.
Davis cleared his throat. “Well. That’s done, then.”
Connor turned to his best friend, seeing the emotion Davis tried to hide behind his alpha mask. They’d been through everything together - first shifts, pack challenges, years of friendship that had shaped who Connor became.
And now Connor was moving on.
“Come here,” Davis said gruffly.
Connor stepped forward, and Davis pulled him into a tight hug. Connor tensed for only a second before relaxing into it, letting his friend hold him the way Davis had done a handful of times over the years - moments when Connor’s walls came down enough to accept physical comfort.
“You call if you need anything,” Davis said against Connor’s shoulder. “Anything at all.”
“I will.”
