Mason smirked.“Careful, Vi.If they’re already humbling themselves, they might decide groveling is their new favorite pastime.”
Jacob chuckled.“Might be the only way they get back in Klarissa’s good graces.”
The sarcasm stung, but Kamon didn’t flinch.He kept his eyes on Kieran, waiting for judgment.He owed the man that respect.His lion had the right to demand answers.
Liam finally spoke, voice steady but sharp.“So, what do you want, tigers?Because you can’t have both.You can’t expect to carry the trust of this Pride and treat someone who is bending over backward to protect your pride mates like you did.”
Kamon’s throat tightened, but his voice came clear.“We want to stay.We want to fight for this city, for this Pride, for Klarissa.And if that means pledging our fealty to Black Ridge, then that’s what we’ll do.No hesitation.”
Rune stepped forward, matching his stance.“We’ll earn it.With blood, with sweat, with whatever it takes.We’ll never stop proving ourselves until you believe it.”
Kieran’s gaze flicked to Klarissa, who stood tense and silent, her hand still caught in Kamon’s.Then his piercing eyes returned to them.The air between them was a taut wire, straining under the weight of judgment.
Finally, Kieran spoke, slow and deliberate.“Words are easy, tigers.Proving them?That’s the hard part.You want in my Pride?Then you don’t just pledge—you bleed with us.For us.”
Kamon felt the weight of that promise settle on his shoulders like chains and wings at once.His tiger surged in response, restless but ready.He didn’t hesitate, not for a heartbeat, he tipped his head to the side in submission.“Then we’ll bleed, Alpha.We’ll bleed until there’s nothing left if that’s what it takes.”
Rune’s jaw flexed, tilting his own head and his voice rang out in unison.“Whatever it takes.”
Kieran stepped forward, his claws sliding free with a deadly shimmer.“Shirts off,” he ordered, and both Kamon and Rune stripped without hesitation, baring their chests.With one swift motion, Kieran slashed across Kamon’s chest, then Rune’s, the cuts shallow but burning with power.Klarissa made a sound of distress but held.
Strong.As.Fuck.
Kamon’s tiger roared inside him at the sting, but he would never admit the pain.He welcomed it.
Then Kieran cut his own palm, Liam doing the same, and together they pressed their bloody hands to the wounds over Kamon’s and Rune’s hearts.Fire seared through Kamon’s body, his knees buckling as the Pride bond forged itself within him.Rune collapsed beside him, both of them gasping at the sheer, overwhelming force of it.This was nothing like the mate bond—it was heavier, broader, stretching outward until Kamon could feel every heartbeat in the Pride.
Kieran’s voice thundered, ritual words vibrating through the floor itself.“By claw and by blood, by vow and by brotherhood.Do you pledge your fealty to Black Ridge, to fight and bleed as Pride?”
Kamon and Rune’s voices rose together, unshaken.“We pledge our fealty.Our blood, our lives, our loyalty—it’s yours.”
The bond snapped into place with the final word, locking tight around them like chains of fire and steel.They were Pride.
The room shivered with the echo of it.Then Kieran grabbed each of them by the forearm and hauled them to their feet.To Kamon’s shock, the Alpha pulled them both into a crushing hug.Over his shoulder, Kamon saw Klarissa crying openly, Violet wiping her own cheeks with uncharacteristic tenderness.
The moment broke with two deep voices booming from the staircase.“What the hell is going on down here then?”
Everyone turned.Kamon blinked, stunned, as two massive men, bear shifters, strode into the room—brothers, unmistakably, both radiating Alpha dominance.
“Everyone,” Kamon thought it best to introduce everyone.“The biggest bastard on the left is Victor, and the other is his younger brother Ivan Hrytsenko, the leaders of the Elite Shifter Enforcers.”
Violet’s eyes narrowed.“How the fuck did you get through my system?”
Victor grinned.“You really think your sensors and firewalls can stop us, little one?”He indicated toward Kamon and Rune with his head.“We got their resignation.We had to come and tell them that we don’t accept it.”
Rune stiffened at Kamon’s side.“What the hell does that mean?You can’tnotaccept a resignation.”
Ivan snorted.“You don’t walk away from the ESE, boys.And even if you tried, we wouldn’t let you.You’re ours as much as you are theirs.Fealty and pledge be damned.”
Kieran stepped forward, his lion surging, his voice sharp.“They’re Black Ridge now.My Pride.Do not step between me and one of mine, Yogi.It will not end well for you.”
Dominance crackled between them for a long moment, until the bears finally gave twin grins and nodded.
“Good.”Victor said with a grin.“It’s about time two of ours found their forever home.Gives us hope for the rest of them.”Their eyes slid deliberately to Klarissa.“You’ll need both of them.”
“They’re mine,” Klarissa said glaring at them.
“Too right, beauty,” Ivan admitted, hands in the air in surrender.“They are yours.Anyone with eyes can tell that.”
