I said no, and the world didn’t end. The pack didn’t turn on me, and I wasn’t dragged back against my will. I wasn’t forced into place and made to carry out his plans again.
My stomach twists, and for a long moment, I expect something else to follow. Instinctively, my body braces for the punishment or a consequence for not complying. I wait and wait, but nothing comes.
Instead, the clearing is quiet, and one word settles into my mind.
Freedom.
It hurts in a way I never expected it to, yet it’s more satisfying than I ever could’ve imagined.
For so long, I pushed the things I didn’t want to address to the side, like my father and his expectations, along with how I was raised and used for his benefit. I let it all happen rather than creating my own change, and now that Hayes has backed off, I can see the bigger picture.
I really was blind to it all. I believed what I was told and defended my indoctrination at every turn. I built my identity around it, but I know just how wrong it all was.
The weight of it all presses down on me, and for a moment, it feels like I might buckle under it, like I don’t know how to carry it, or how to reconcile the person I was with the one I’m trying to be now.
Before I can get too lost in it, I feel Zane move subtly beside me. I don’t look at him right away, but I sense him through the bond and the space between us.
He’s here, solid and comforting just like he always was, and my pulse gradually levels out from his presence alone.
With a slow, steadying breath, I turn to him and find him already watching me with a quiet reverence.
“Naia…” he murmurs, voice cuts through the quiet, drawing the attention of the others.
I tense instinctively out of habit, but I don’t step back or shut down. I face him instead, watching as he steps closer and holds my gaze before gently collecting my hands in his.
Zane looks at me now like I’m the center of everything, as if I could do no wrong. His eyes still search my features, softer now.
Rather than speaking out loud, he reaches me through our connection.
You did beautifully…more so than I ever gave you credit for.
To that, I soften, but I can’t find the words that convey the depth I feel.I did what I had to.
No, he starts, voice like a gentle caress in my head.You chose. Without me standing in your way, or anyone else, you decided, and you handled that better than most would have. I admire that.
Everything he says hits me hard enough to make my thoughts jumble, not used to hearing such genuine praise from anyone.
His grip on my hands tightens in a gentle squeeze.You stood your ground against them and Hayes. If you really meant what you said, then stay…stay with me. Don’t return to that place.
I wasn’t planning to. I return to him, noting how my heart clenches.
The corner of his lip twitches.Good. I don’t want to miss you a second time.
Before I can stop myself, I give him a small smile in return as the emotions well up inside me. I’m not used to any of this, but I don’t hate it. Not when it’s him.
Exchanging another look with me, Zane turns to address everyone while keeping his gentle hold on me. “The rogue group we’ve been chasing is gone now, and their operation is finished. We’ll keep tabs on anyone they might be connected to, but for now, the threat is gone.”
The others around us nod with their murmurs, all relieved at the prospect. Zeke exhales while the others inspect the scene, surely already thinking about cleanup before any humans can stumble upon the mess.
“I have many people to thank for helping bring them down, but first, I need to do something I should’ve done a while ago,” Zane begins, looking around at the others before facing me again. His attention becomes more focused on me, and my pulse picks up slightly in response. “If you’ll accept it, I want you to join this pack officially…both as my mate and Luna. Like most in this pack, you’ve decided to walk a different path despite the one laid out for you. You know what it’s like firsthand, and you chose to fight for yourself anyway. You belong here just as much as anyone else, Naia.”
My heart squeezes as I digest it all, and that title lingers in my mind.
Luna.
Not an Omega, or something secondary. His equal.
My head struggles to catch up as I stare at him, then I glance around, waiting for pushback from the others. I anticipate resistance, or someone reminding him of who I am and where I came from. But nobody does.
