Junie’s expression crumpled. “Damn. That was a good answer.”
“You deserve it,” Dahlia added, pulling her into a hug. “After everything. You deserve to be happy.”
“I can’t believe the growly Alpha turned out to be a romantic.” Cassia shook her head. “All that brooding was pent-up emotions. Tragic.”
“You cried when he carried her out of Piprick’s workshop,” Junie pointed out.
“That was dust! Explosive magical dust!”
Narla stepped in, her quiet voice cutting through. “The mark suits you. I smelled the potential weeks ago. But this—” She gestured at Avine’s obvious contentment. “This is better than potential. This is real.” She paused, something shifting in her expression toward quiet relief. “The surge has steadied, by the way. First bond sealed. The town will stop feeling like a live wire.”
“It is.” Avine touched her scarf. “It really is.”
Beck foundher twenty minutes later, a drink in each hand.
“So.” He handed her a sparkling cocktail. “How’s it feel to be the official talk of the town?”
“Overwhelming. Where’s Theo?”
“Pack politics.” Beck nodded toward the far corner. “Garrett’s faction has gone quiet—he watched you pull apart the Matrix and decided a reckoning with the Alpha’s mate wasn’t worth what it would cost him. He took his people north two days ago. Seeking counsel, he said. Nobody’s expecting him back before winter.” Beck paused. “Nobody’s broken up about it, either.Nobody wants to challenge the alpha who’s got a witch powerful enough to destroy a Protection Matrix.”
“There was collateral damage.”
“Potato, extremely powerful potato.” He clinked his glass against hers. “For what it’s worth, I’m glad he found you. He’s been alone too long.”
“He admits it now.”
“I know.” Interest flickered across Beck’s face. His gaze drifted past her shoulder, and when Avine followed it, she found Junie at the bar, red hair catching the light.
Interesting.
“Anyway.” Beck’s attention snapped back, too fast. “The boss is heading this way.”
He vanished as Theo reached her side.
“It’s time.”
Theo laced his fingers through hers. Around them, attention gathered. The wolves were turning toward their Alpha.
“The formal presentation?”
He nodded. “Pack and coven. I want everyone to know exactly where you stand.”
“Beside you.”
“That’s right.”
They moved toward the staircase, the crowd parting. Avine’s heart hammered. She’d faced exploding magical constructs with more composure.
Theo led her up three steps and turned to face the assembled guests. Two hundred seventeen faces looked back. Wolves. Witches. Shifters. Elders. Her friends, beaming near the bar.
The room fell silent.
“The Siren’s Rest has found its keeper.” Theo’s voice carried without effort, alpha authority thrumming beneath. “The inn chose Avine Bell—recognized her power, accepted her magic, welcomed her home.”
He turned to look at her, and the tenderness in his expression stole her breath.
“The pack has found its mate.”
