Page 26 of Return to the Pack

“I’m here to rejoin you in a new configuration,” the elder says. “It won’t be like before, as you’ll never be True Mates again. But you can still be a part of the pack, and one day, you and Axel can be mated if you wish.”

“You can’t take the others away from me!” I feel just like a child wailing at Mama because she spanked me.

“Nor would I ever—unless you declared your intention to be mated to one of them.” Her gaze appears timeless like all her fore-mothers speak through her.

By now, the other pack members have gathered around us. Kato, Adolpha, Borris, his wife and child, and others solemnly witness our exchange. The elder leads us to the center of the clearing, and the rest of the pack forms a circle around us, their faces solemn as they wait for our induction. The breeze picks up into a gust that blows leaves, sand, and other debris into the air.

“Do any of you desire to be less than a fully bonded member of the Jacksonville pack?” she asks, turning her head to gaze at Axel and the triplets.

The brothers all shake their heads and come to stand beside me.

In a loud, clear voice, Axel says, “I was a fool before. I have paid my penance, and I’ll continue to pay it through lifetimes to be mated to Luna. She is my soul. It is my honor to welcome her and these men into our pack, to share what we have equally as we do with all members.”

“This bond shall serve you well, Luna, dear,” Elder Amexaryl assures me. “Once it is done, you and the rest of the pack shall be as one. You’ll share a telepathic bond. Each of you shall know when the other is in danger. Each of you shall know when the prey has been spotted or when the other is needed. You will not need words to communicate.” She pauses, and the air around us stills as if waiting for my answer.

The words lodge in my throat, however. I can still feel the sting of the past slicing through my heart. I don’t ever want to experience their rejection again.

“I understand you are being hunted,” Elder Amexaryl says, reaching for my hands.

I let her enfold them in her warm, papery touch. Instantly, a deep sense of calm flows through me. “Yes,” I say. “I am.”

“The beasts that hunt you are evil. They’re no longer wolves but aberration to the species.”

The word “evil” is like a punch to the gut, and I try to yank my hands away from Elder Amexaryl.

Her fingers harden into claws, not letting me go. As she does this, I’m filled to overflowing with a kind of strength I’ve never before experienced. I feel as powerful as all of my lovers combined, and I know this strength comes from the pack… Joining together gives us all the power of many.

Elder Amexaryl holds me in her steady gaze, letting the preview of what I’ll have fade. “If you choose to accept, this bond will be protect you in case of further attacks, more necessary now than ever. It’s your choice if you want to be a member of the pack, though, Luna. All you have to do is say yes.”

The wind picks up again, and it seems to swirl around us, embracing us in a sphere of magical possibilities.

Say yes.

The words seem to flow into my brain from Axel, and my wolf calms, eagerness building inside her where fear and loneliness and distrust have resided all my life.

We accept you. We’re ready.

These words flow from Axel, but somehow I know they’re flowing from the pack, the only way they can reach me—through my bond with Axel.

“Then, yes, yes, yes,” I say, and my heart swells as my wolf dances with happiness. I sweep my gaze at each pack member. “Please accept me into your pack. Accept us all.”

“I accept,” Kato says, raising his fist high.

“As do I!” Aldopha states, lifting her fist into the air.

One by one, each pack member states their assent.

I’m buzzing with energy, buoyed by this sense of community I’ve never had before.

“It is done, child,” Elder Amexaryl says, touching my forehead with her fingertip. She bows her head slightly and withdraws.

All around me, there are whoops and cheers. Hands clap me on the back, arms embrace me, and I feel folded into the pack, welcomed with open arms.

Then Elder Amexaryl repeats the performance for Callan, Ethan, and then Warrick. At the end, she goes on to swear him in as Second in Command. Then there are more hugs and cheers. When the congratulations cease, and people start to drift toward the fire pit to get the meat on the grill, Axel pulls me aside.

“What is it?” I say, gazing at him. My heart swells with love for the wolf-man standing before me. He is well and indeed my mate, even if our marks no longer glow. The bond of the pack only confirms it.

“I’m so proud of you, Luna.” He looks at me with a fire in his eyes I’ve never seen. He takes my hands in his, and our gazes tangle.