Bastian spoke the first phrase in old pack language. The words were rhythmic and dignified, and carried weight that had nothing to do with volume.
The rest of the alphas spoke in turn.
A faint glow spread from each duskburst plant outward, purple and white light that looked almost like bioluminescence but felt different. Older, perhaps. The magic distributed between the points instead of pooling in the center the way it must have when Bastian tried the ritual alone.
Acorn’s tail rose, his small body going rigid with attention.
When the final phrase had been spoken, all five voices completing the sequence at the same time, something settled in the earth. It wasn’t a sound. More like a vibration below hearing. The forest holding its breath and then releasing it.
Silence stretched across the clearing.
Kirk pressed his hand against his chest, amazement blooming on his face. “It’s gone.”
Everyone looked at him.
“The hollow feeling is gone.” His voice came out rough. “I can feel my wolf clearly now, like before.” His jaw worked as he met Feral’s eyes. “It’s… fixed.”
The second female alpha grinned.
The bear shifter sat in the grass at the circle’s edge, exhaling slowly.
I found Feral’s gaze across the site.
Theory confirmed. Packs saved. Everything I came here to do, done.
He strode toward me, and I met him halfway. He took my face in both hands, looking at me the way he did his territory. Like I was worth defending with everything he had.
The bond hummed between us the way the seal now hummed beneath the ground.
The witch who measured everything at last,Acorn said from my shoulder,finds what cannot be measured, and keeps it.
I laughed against Feral’s chest.
The ceremony dissolved into something that sounded like a real beginning.
I looked up at Feral. “Your wolf is satisfied?”
“My wolf is insufferably smug.” He paused. “So am I.”
I took his hand, weaving our fingers together.
While we shared silly smiles, Acorn hopped down from my shoulder and scampered over to investigate the duskburst, chittering observations I’d translate later.
I’d come here as a fourth piece of a political puzzle, but found the one variable I’d never thought to include in my models. Someone who’d choose me, again and again, no matter what a ceremony said.
This had always been here, waiting for both of us to find.
I leaned against his side, watching the other alphas talk. Plans were already forming for maintaining the seals going forward.
Bastian approached after a few minutes, Arana at his side. “The ritual worked better than I expected.”
“That’s because you followed instructions this time,” I said.
His laugh sounded light. Real. “I’ll try to make that a habit.”
“See that you do.”
Arana smiled. “We’re organizing a council meeting for next week. All the regional alphas are invited to formalize maintenance schedules and set up proper communication channels.” She paused. “Your presence would be valuable. Both of you.”
