Yet again, I was truly touched. Without another word, I pulled the two of them into a hug. The warlocks had tried to destroy us, yet despite everything, we were closer than ever before. And maybe, if things kept going how they were, we would end the cycle of trauma that permeated shifter culture. Withpeople like Benny and Ven, and who knew who else, it felt like we could accomplish things our parents never even dreamed of.
When I parted from my two pack mates, I drew in a deep breath. “Gather everyone up,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “As soon as Ven is ready, I want to get started.”
“Eager to get it over?” Andromeda teased, gently nudging me in my ribs.
“Eager to start the rest of my life with all of us unified as one pack.”
They nodded at me, then hurried off. They were good at what they did, because within fifteen minutes, I was standing in the center of the clearing, surrounded by friendly faces and supportive spirits.
I didn’t recognize everyone, but everyone was an ally. They’d fought with us, and those who hadn’t had come to help afterward. I wanted all of them to see us welcome a non-shifter into our pack.
It was quiet, almost eerily so, until Chiga began a low sound somewhere between a hum and a chant. It didn’t take long before several others joined in.
Cluster by cluster, different tones sounded, until a beautiful but somewhat intimidating sound rose up into the cerulean sky above us. It spoke of ancient power and bonds that could never be broken. It echoed the earth itself, ever present, and called back to ancestors beyond those we even knew.
I let it move through me, awestruck at the beauty we could create when we were united as one, and that feeling only increased exponentially when part of the crowd stepped aside, allowing my beloved to step through.
Vanessa was always beautiful, but in this moment, with the sun shining down on her hair, her cheeks pink from excitement and nerves, she looked truly stunning. Someone had given her a green dress that befitted her nature. It hung off her shouldersand hugged her curves. She truly looked like a dryad of myth, too spectacular and important to touch, and yet all I needed to do was reach out, and she would be right there beneath my fingers.
The song swelled as she walked toward me, ancient melody and rhythms carried through our souls as much as our DNA. It surrounded us, echoing the profundity of the moment, only stopping when Ven was right in front of me.
My friend.
My mate.
My savior.
Mybeloved.
Those gorgeous, deep, heather eyes of hers focused on me and everything else faded away, leaving only the two of us. When she spoke, her voice carried the weight of everything we had been through, the incredible and sometimes impossible journey we’d been on.
“Leo Reihl, I pledge my loyalty to you. You will be my alpha, and I will be your follower. Through war, through famine, we are stronger together than apart.”
Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes, and my inner wolfhowledin triumph. It didn’t matter that she wasn’t shifter. What mattered was that Ven wasVen.Perfect in every way just by being her.
“Then, you, Vanessa Goode, are now our blood.” As would our children be. And our children’s children. We wouldn’t be like her aunt, who always treated Ven as an outcast. She would be protected. Treasured. “I am your alpha and you are my pack. I swear to protect you, I swear to guide you, and Iwillkeep you safe.”
“So mote it be,” she said. Her voice cracked, and tears shimmered in her eyes. God, I loved this woman. Loved how deeply and truly she felt things.
“So mote it be.” I waited a beat, but before people could think things were over and celebrate, I continued. It wasn’t exactly orthodox, but who cared?
“And it is here, with our pack, and our allies, that I claim you as my mate for all to know. Whether wolf or not, whether dryad or not, we are bound by fate.”
I knelt on one knee. It wasn’t quite a proposal, but it was closer than either of us had ever expected. “I only ask now that you claim me.”
“Yes!” The next thing I knew, Ven threw her arms around my shoulders and hauled me up so she could kiss me silly. As our lips locked and cheers erupted all around us, I knew I had truly unlocked the key to happiness. “Forever and always,” she whispered, my enhanced hearing only barely catching it above the happy furor of the crowd.
“Forever and always,” I agreed before kissing her again.
What happened after that was a bit fuzzy, obscured with happy tears and hugs from many people around us, along with congratulations. The abundance of joy continued as our group organically drifted back toward Ven’s house, where multiple tables were set out with quite the feast—and no ancient witch on a quest for revenge would interrupt it this time.
Thiswas what life was supposed to be about. Community. Support. Celebration. The connections we all made together rather than what drove us apart.
And it was all because of Ven.
“Hey, not to intrude, but I wanted to give you something before I forget.”
Ven and I paused our conversation to see Esperanza standing beside our table, looking excited but a bit bashful.
