“Impossible.”
Dominic waited by the fire pit, greeting them with a curt nod. “Arthur.”
“Dom.”
Then his gaze shifted to Dani, and something eased in the alpha’s shoulders she hadn’t noticed were tight.
“Dani,” he said simply. Not Luna. Not witch. Just Dani.
She dipped her head in acknowledgment. Layla’s eyes warmed when their gazes met.
A few witches, newcomers looking for safety, blinked at her, some with caution, some with outright curiosity, others with a flicker of respect. Edith elbowed her way forward long enough to murmur, “Don’t look so tense. If they decide to burn us, I’ll hex Dominic’s fancy coat off.”
Kiara snorted behind her.
Rory merely sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Dominic lifted his voice, carrying easily over the crowd.
“One week ago, we stood on Nanuq’s flank facing an enemy none of us were prepared for. Wolves, witches, and vampires fought side by side, not because we trusted each other, but because we didn’t have a choice.” His gaze swept over each group. “Today, wedohave a choice.”
Leonid Volkhov leaned lazily against a tree, expression infuriatingly pleased with himself. But even he didn’t interrupt.
“This alliance,” Dominic continued, “isn’t natural. It isn’t easy. But it is necessary.”
Kiara stepped forward. Her voice carried loudly. “The hybrids are multiplying. Someone is making them. Someone with access to coven rites and blood magic older than us all. We cannot face them alone.”
A murmur spread through the crowd. Some fearful. Some furious.
Arthur stepped into the empty space beside Dominic, jaw set.
“We lost wolves,” he said. “We lost witches. We could have lost everything.” He paused, scanning the gathered faces. “But we didn’t. Because we fought together.”
Dani felt the truth of it pulse through her ribs. She remembered the scent of frost and fire. His body shielding hers. Her magic closing around him like armor. The bond humming like a heartbeat.
Leonid finally pushed off the tree, smile thin. “Volnoye will sign the accord.” Gasps rippled. Even Dominic looked faintly startled. Leonid shrugged. “The hybrids killed two of ours. I want their heads. Alliance makes that faster.”
Rory raised a hand next. “Severney agrees.”
“As do Nordan,” Arthur said gruffly.
Dani felt something inside her loosen. Just a fraction.
Then Dominic nodded once. “The four packs are united.”
Witches murmured among themselves, fear and relief tangled. Dani watched Layla step closer to Dominic, her hand brushing his. Quiet. Steady. Certain.
And then, like lightning, she realized…
Both packs had witches for lunas now.
Arthur, sensing her thought through the bond, shifted just enough that their shoulders brushed.
When the meeting dissolved into small councils and whispered negotiations, Dani found herself drifting to the edge of the square. The snow fell thicker now, soft flakes catching in her hair.
Arthur followed, stopping beside her.
“You all right?” he asked.
