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“That’s not something you need to worry about.” He’s still watching the sky. “Focus on leading a new clan, building a family, and, most of all, being yourself.”

When I face him again, he nudges my shoulder with his. “The star showers pass over tonight,” he says. “Perfect night for them. I’ll be setting up that telescope Aaron gave me on the hill, if the new alpha can spare an old man an hour.”

Across the village, Dominic sets down an armload of firewood. A portal opens in front of him, and Hazel steps through it with the border showing behind her. Past her, I catch Aya at the water’s edge. My dragon shoves me toward my mate.

I glance back at my father, who waves me off. “Go.”

I push my wings out of my back, still sore at the roots. I bend my knees and launch off the ground. Dust blows across the yard behind me.

I climb over the village and bank above our cabin at the edge of the clearing. The sap smell off the fresh lumber reaches me even up here. The trailer of brick and cement makings sits parked out front. Tomorrow her father comes to finish the build, and after that it’s home. My dragon wants to dive and inspect every board of it, but she isn’t down there.

Soon there’s nothing but pines for miles, their sharp green scent riding up on the night air. Somewhere under them is the path Aya ran. I hate how much forest stands between me and her. My wings burn with each downstroke. I keep working them through it until the ache loosens into a stretch. I aim us at the bridge lights ahead.

The trees thin out below me, and the water spreads black past the border. I spot her from the air, alone on the shore with her face to the dark of it.

I come down slow beside her on the damp ground and tuck my wings into my back. I groan when they go in sore.

Aya winces at the sound. “How did it go?”

There’s no short version of today, and I’m done talking for the night. I don’t answer her. I pull Aya into my arms instead, rest my head on her shoulder, and breathe her in. My dragon purrs. The longer I hold her, the calmer I get.

“Oh, Ezra.” She rubs my back. “I can feel so much tension on you.”

I close my eyes. “You make it go away.”

We stay like that for a while, the water slapping at the rocks under the bridge. Then I pull back and stare at her with my arms still around her waist.

Her eyes are puffy, and her scent carries the leftover salt of tears. My dragon cuts off his purr.

I reach up and stroke her cheek. “What’s wrong, baby?”

She shrugs. “Nothing. Just had an emotional moment with Hazel. Girl stuff.”

I take her hand in mine. “Valek wants an official transfer of power. The ceremony takes place in four days.”

Aya smiles and squeezes back.

I move in closer to her. “It would really make me happy if you completed yours at the same time.”

She opens her mouth, then snaps it shut. Hesitation creeps into her scent. My dragon goes on alert.

Why?

She drops her eyes to our hands. “I think we should wait. For me. I haven’t had enough training to be a luna.”

I pull away and frown.

It’s silly to feel rejected when we’re fully mated. No ceremony will make her any more mine. But I stood in the yard by myself today. I don’t want to stand at the Flame alone too.

My dragon rises at that and sends heat up my neck. He wants to demand her, order his luna to her place beside us. I know better than to push. I shove him down instead and work out another way.

I smile. “Okay.”

“Okay?” She presses the back of her hand to my forehead.

I catch her wrist and draw her back against my chest. We watch the dark water and the sky filling up with stars.

“My father would say you can’t call a star down early,” I tell her. “All you can do is keep your face to the sky and wait for it.”