Chapter 21

POV: Mia

I stared at my phone, rereading Xander’s last message for the hundredth time.

Xander: If you need space to make your decision, you should have it.

It was reasonable. It was rational. It was exactly what I had asked for, wasn’t it? A chance to think, to breathe, to process everything without them clouding my thoughts. And yet, my fingers hovered over my screen, itching to type something back. Something more. Something to keep the conversation going. But what was I supposed to say?

I miss you.

I already ddi that, so I shook my head and dropped the phone onto the couch beside me, as if it burned to touch it. No. This was what I needed. Space.

So I forced myself to push forward. I made a plan for the day. Lunch with Karen. Shopping. A normal Sunday. A human Sunday. It would be fine. It had to be fine.

Karen didn’t pry as we ate together at our favorite little diner, though I knew she wanted to. I caught her glancing at me between bites of her burger, her lips pressed together like she was holding back an interrogation. I appreciated it. But I also hated how off I felt. I was here, sitting across from my best friend, eating a meal we’d shared countless times before, and yet it all felt… wrong.

The moment my latte arrived, it hit me like a punch to the chest. The scent of coffee and steamed milk curled around me, warm and familiar, but instead of comfort, it just reminded me of them. Of Theo handing me a latte with that quiet, pleased look in his eyes. Of Xander teasing me about my order, but still remembering it perfectly.

I swallowed hard and took a sip anyway, but it didn’t taste the same.

“Okay, what gives?” Karen finally asked, setting her drink down with a thud. “You’re in a funk.”

“I’m fine.”

“You are so not fine. Spill.”

I stirred my coffee, watching the foam swirl. “I’m just… processing everything.”

Karen narrowed her eyes. “This is about the twins.”

I sighed, pressing my fingers to my temples. “Everything reminds me of them, Karen. My coffee. My food. Even—” My voice hitched, and I had to take a breath. “Even dogs. We walked past a golden retriever on the way here, and I swear I almost started crying.”

Her expression softened. “Oh, Mia.”

“I don’t know how this happened,” I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “They were strangers a week ago. And now…” I gestured helplessly, like that could somehow sum up the ache in my chest. “Now, they feel like something I can’t breathe without.”

Karen leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. “Maybe that’s because they aren’t just random guys. Maybe they’re your fate.”

She chose this exactly word.

Fate.

I let out a hollow laugh. “You don’t even believe in fate.”

“I believe in you,” she said simply. “And you look like someone who’s had her heart ripped out.”

I exhaled shakily, unable to deny it. It was like I was walking around with a hole in my chest, one that only widened with each passing hour.

After lunch, we went to the mall, hoping a little retail therapy might distract me. But even that felt wrong. I wandered aimlessly through racks of clothes, picking things up and putting them back down without really seeing them. We passed a pet store, and I froze at the sight of a tiny husky puppy staring at me through the glass, its bright blue eyes eerily familiar.

My stomach twisted, and I turned away, pretending to examine a display of handbags instead.

“You wanna head back?” Karen asked gently.

I nodded, relieved. Shopping wasn’t going to fix this. Nothing was.

By the time I got home, exhaustion pulled at me, but I knew sleep wouldn’t come easily. Because every moment, every breath, every heartbeat without them felt wrong.

And I was running out of time.

The night air was cool against my skin as I stepped outside, my sneakers hitting the pavement with steady, rhythmic beats. The streets were nearly empty, the hum of the city dulled to a distant murmur. I focused on my breathing, on the way my muscles stretched and moved, desperate to outrun the ache in my chest.

But no matter how fast I ran, I couldn’t escape it.

The full moon hung heavy in the sky, its glow casting silver light over everything. I’d seen it countless times before, but tonight… tonight, it felt different. It wasn’t just light. It was something more. A pull, a whisper, a quiet voice threading through my veins, calling me to something beyond myself.

It wasn’t words. It wasn’t a command. It was a feeling.

Belonging.

I slowed to a stop, chest heaving, staring up at the sky. The air around me was charged, humming with an energy I didn’t understand but felt in my bones. My fingers trembled at my sides. My heart pounded—not from exertion, but from something else entirely.

What if this wasn’t just a choice? What if this was always meant to be?

I swallowed hard and forced myself to turn away, to push my legs back into motion, to go home, to ignore it. To pretend like I could still run from it.

But when I finally fell into bed, sleep pulled me under like a tide, and the dreams came again.

Forests bathed in moonlight. Shadows shifting between trees, figures moving, running. Wolves, powerful and untamed, their howls echoing in the wind. The sky overhead, endless and vast, the moon above, shining down like a beacon, as if it had always been watching me. As if it had always been waiting.

And me, standing in the center of it all, breathing in the air, feeling the ground beneath my feet, knowing with absolute certainty—I belonged here.

I woke with a gasp, my body tangled in the sheets, my skin damp with sweat. My heart raced in my chest, and for a long moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake the lingering feeling of the dream.

It wasn’t just a dream.

It was a truth I wasn’t ready to face.

But how long could I keep pretending?

I tried to distract myself. I went to class. I sat through lectures, scribbling notes I barely processed. I met Karen for lunch, forced a smile, tried to make conversation. But nothing felt right. Everything was wrong, off, like I was living in a version of my life that no longer fit me.

Even the small things felt empty.

A latte and a donut weren’t just a latte and a donut anymore. They were Xander’s quiet indulgence, the way his lips curled around the rim of his cup, the way he’d smirk at me when I caught him sneaking another bite of my donut. The sight of a dog on the street wasn’t just a passing moment—it was Theo, crouching down, his rough hands gentle as he scratched behind floppy ears, his entire face lighting up with unfiltered joy.

They were everywhere. In every shadow, in every memory, in every stolen piece of my day.

I was miserable.

By the time I got home, I felt like I was unraveling.

I grabbed a notebook and a pen and sat at the kitchen table, tapping the end of the pen against my lips before writing two words at the top of the page:

Stay or Go?

I drew a line down the middle, forcing myself to write. Reasons to Stay: My life was here. My studies. Karen. Grandma. The safe. No risks. No unknowns.

But each reason I wrote felt hollow.

Then, I moved to the other side. Reasons to Go:

I hesitated. Then wrote the first thing that came to mind.

Because I want to.

I stared at the words, my heart thudding.

The list grew from there. My grandmother. My heritage. The magic. The adventure. The feeling of something more. The belonging. The pull I couldn’t explain. And then, at the bottom, the thing I had been too afraid to admit:

Because I can’t live without them.

I set the pen down, staring at the list, my chest tight.

With every second that passed, my choice became clearer.

I could never be happy if I stayed.

Chapter 22

POV: Mia

The realization settled over me like the final piece of a puzzle clicking into place. I was going.

I stared at my phone, my fingers trembling as I scrolled to my grandmother’s contact. The only family I had left in this world. My throat tightened as I pressed call.

She picked up after the second ring. “Mia, sweetheart. Hi.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. The words refused to form, the weight of them too much to bear. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to speak, to tell her what I had to. But all that came was silence.

And then, softly, she spoke. “I know, sweetheart.”

A breath shuddered out of me. “Grandma—”

“You’re going,” she said gently. “I’ve known all along. From the moment you told me about them, from the moment they tell me they are your mates, I knew. You belong there.”

A sob built in my chest, clawing its way up. “But you—”

“Shh, love,” she soothed. “I have my place here. The only magic that exists in this world is love. And I have my own magic right here—with your grandfather, with the life we’ve built. But you, my sweet girl, you were meant for something more.”

Tears streamed down my face. “Come with me. Please.”

She let out a soft, knowing laugh. “Oh, Mia. I can’t. My time in that world ended long ago. And you know that.”

I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. “I don’t want to leave you.”

“And you won’t,” she promised. “No matter where you go, my love goes with you. Our legacy, our bloodline—it continues through you. Through everything you will become. And I have never been prouder of you than I am right now.”

A broken sob escaped me, my heart splintering at the finality of it. “I love you, Grandma.”

“And I love you, Mia. Always.”

We sat in silence for a few more moments, just breathing together. And then, with a shaky exhale, I whispered, “Goodbye.”

She didn’t say the word back. Just, “Until we see each other again, my love.”

I hung up, my fingers trembling. I let the phone fall to my lap as I pressed my face into my hands, crying quietly, letting myself feel it all.

And then, when the tears slowed and my chest ached with something new—something final—I picked up my phone again.

My fingers hovered over the screen before I finally typed the words.

Mia: I made my decision.

It only took a few seconds for my phone to light up with a response.

Xander: We’re on our way.

I exhaled shakily, wiping at my damp cheeks. My heart still ached. But underneath it all, something else stirred.

Something like relief. Something like belonging.

I was going home.

The moment the twins step into my apartment, the air shifts. Heavy. Unspoken tension wraps around us like a storm about to break. They stand there, unmoving, their expressions unreadable, but I know.

I know because I see it in their eyes.

Theo is wrecked. His jaw clenches, his fingers flex at his sides as if he’s barely restraining himself. I’ve never seen him like this—this raw, this close to breaking. His wildness is subdued, but it’s not calm—it’s caged. A force of nature holding itself back, afraid of what might happen if it unravels.

Xander is more composed. Always the mask, always the control. But I see through him now. His hands are tucked into his pockets, his stance still, but his storm is no quieter than Theo’s. His eyes—God, his eyes—hold the weight of everything, the weight of losing me before I was ever his to have.

They don’t know my choice.

I open my mouth to speak, but the weight of the moment presses down on my chest. I have to do this right—I have to say this right.

I take a breath. “I tried,” I say softly, but the words tremble. “I tried to stay. I tried to live my life, go to class, go shopping, have coffee, laugh with Karen—everything that was supposed to be normal.”

Their eyes never leave me, their bodies still as statues, as if bracing for impact.

“But none of it worked.” My voice cracks, and I swallow hard. “Everything felt wrong. Empty. Like something had been ripped out of me and I was just… walking around, pretending to be whole.”

Theo exhales sharply, his fists tightening, his body vibrating with barely contained energy. Xander’s lips press together, his control fraying at the edges.

I step forward, just a little. “I didn’t understand the mate bond before. I fought against it. I tried to convince myself it wasn’t real, that I could just choose to go back to my life. But you walked into my world and turned everything upside down, and now… now I can’t imagine a life where you aren’t in it.”

Their bodies tense. I feel the shift before I even finish speaking.

“I choose you.”

The moment the words leave my lips, the tension snaps.

Theo moves first, his restraint shattering as he reaches for me, grabbing me and pulling me into him like he’s afraid I’ll disappear. Xander follows, wrapping his arms around me, his hold no less desperate. I barely have time to breathe before I’m surrounded, consumed, theirs.

Theo’s hand cups the back of my head, his breath warm and uneven against my temple. “You mean it?” His voice is hoarse, like he can’t believe it, like this is the moment he’s been dying for but never let himself hope for.

I nod, my fingers curling into his shirt. “Yes.”

Xander’s arms tighten around me. I feel his lips press against my hair, his chest rising and falling in heavy, unsteady breaths. “Mia…”

I tilt my head up, and then it’s just them. Their warmth, their scent, the overwhelming presence of the two men who have wrecked me in the best way. Theo’s lips find mine first, rough and urgent, like he’s trying to mark this moment into existence. Xander follows, his kiss slower, deeper, as if memorizing every second of this surrender.

I am theirs. And they are mine.

And I am finally home.

The weight of my decision settled in as I stood in my apartment with Xander and Theo. I had chosen them. Chosen their world. Chosen to leave everything behind. But there were still things left to do.

Xander, always the rational one, exhaled and looked at me seriously. “We’re running out of time.”

I swallowed. “What do I need to do?”

Theo, intense as ever, met my gaze. “Just love us.”

A smile tugged at my lips despite the storm of emotions inside me. “That’s easy. I already do.”

They exchanged a look—something unreadable, something deep. And then Xander cleared his throat. “We need to handle a few things before we go.”

I frowned. “Like what?”

Theo shifted, almost looking sheepish. “This apartment.”

I blinked. “What about it?”

Xander ran a hand through his hair. “We bought it.”

Shock rippled through me. “You—what?”

Theo shrugged. “Whether you stayed or left, we wanted you to be comfortable. If you stayed, we wanted you to have a home that was yours, without worries.”

I pressed a hand to my chest, overwhelmed. “You guys—”

Xander continued, “Since you’re leaving, we’re leaving some money for Karen. Enough to make sure she’s taken care of here. And we sent some to your grandmother too. She shouldn’t have to worry about anything.”

My eyes burned. “You thought of everything.”

“We thought of you,” Theo corrected gently.

A lump formed in my throat. They had done all of this for me. Even before I had made my decision, they had been thinking of my comfort, my security. My heart clenched, and I knew there was only one thing left to do.

Saying goodbye.

Karen held onto me tightly, her own eyes glassy with unshed tears. “You’re really going?”

I nodded, my own throat tight. “I have to.”

She sniffed, pulling back just enough to look at me. “You said it’s another state?”

I gave a small, wobbly smile. “Closer to my grandmother.”

Karen exhaled and nodded, her hands gripping mine. “You were the best thing that happened to me here, Mia.”

A sob bubbled in my throat. “You too, Karen. Thank you for everything.”

We hugged again, and this time, neither of us held back our tears. I had spent so much time with her, shared so much. And now, I was walking away from it all. But deep in my heart, I knew—I wasn’t losing her. She would always be a part of me.

When I finally stepped back, she forced a smile through her tears. “Go be happy, okay?”

I nodded, stepping away, toward Theo and Xander, who were waiting for me at the door.

I turned once more, taking in everything for the last time. And then, with one last deep breath, I left. Leaving behind everything I had ever known—because my future was waiting for me elsewhere.

Chapter 23

POV: Mia

The penthouse was quiet, the city lights flickering through the windows as I stood there, heart pounding. This was it. The moment before everything changed. The moment before I left everything I had ever known.

Xander’s voice was calm, reassuring. “We should rest. When we wake up, we’ll be home.”

Home.

I exhaled shakily, nerves and certainty colliding inside me. I had made my choice, and yet, the unknown stretched before me like an endless chasm. But then I felt them. Theo’s warmth, Xander’s steady presence. Their hands found me, grounding me. Their lips brushed against mine, sealing this moment in something more than words.

We laid down together, our bodies tangled in the kind of closeness I had craved since the moment I met them. Theo’s fingers traced slow, soothing patterns on my arm, Xander’s lips pressed against my forehead. Their scents wrapped around me, lulling me into a sense of safety I hadn’t even realized I’d been missing my whole life.

I was exhausted. The past few days had drained me, but now, for the first time, I could breathe. My eyes fluttered shut, and as I drifted off, I felt it—a pull, deep and unrelenting.

The world shifted.

It wasn’t a dream. It was something far bigger, far more powerful. It felt as if my soul was being pulled through time, through space, through something ancient and infinite. I gasped, weightless, untethered, my body caught in a force greater than anything I had ever known.

A pull so deep it yanked at my very being, like something was unraveling and remaking itself all at once. I gasped, but there was no air—only movement, only change, only power. Light and darkness swirled around me, and I felt myself falling—

And then— I wasn’t.

I woke up. I gasped awake.

The scent of earth and rain filled my lungs, the cool air brushing against my skin. I blinked, my body jolting with awareness. I wasn’t in the penthouse anymore. I was on the ground, soft moss beneath me. A cave. A warm glow from deeper inside illuminated the rough stone walls, casting shadows that danced like flickering memories.

I sat up in a daze. My hands dug into cool stone, my body still trembling from whatever had just happened. But before I could make sense of anything, movement caught my eye.

A woman rushed forward, blond hair flowing around her shoulders, warm brown eyes glistening as she threw herself at Theo. “Theodore.” Her voice broke, raw and full of something so fierce it made my throat tighten. Theo held her, silent but gripping her tightly, his face buried in her shoulder.

A man stood nearby, his dark brown hair streaked with silver at the temples, eyes the same piercing blue as the twins’. He stepped toward Xander, and for the first time, I saw their falter. Xander usual composed mask cracked as he was pulled into a firm embrace, a quiet but powerful reunion.

My chest tightened. This was their family. Their world. And I was here.

Then suddenly, all eyes were on me.

The woman pulled back from Theo, her gaze sweeping to me, searching. The man beside Xander turned, his sharp gaze locking onto me like he could see straight into my soul.

I swallowed hard. Overwhelmed didn’t even begin to cover what I felt.

But then, something unexpected happened.

A warmth bloomed inside me, deep and undeniable, spreading through every vein, every cell. My body didn’t just recognize this place—it craved it. My DNA, my soul, whatever made me who I was, it knew. I belonged. I always had.

And the mate bond—

My breath hitched as I felt it completely for the first time. Before, in the human world, there had been a pull. A longing. But here? Here, it was everything. Like I couldn’t breathe without them, like the space between us was unnatural, unbearable. Like something ancient and magical wove us together, threading through our souls, binding us beyond just fate.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my eyes finding the twins again.

They were watching me, their gazes full of something raw, something vulnerable.

“Theo. Xander.” The woman’s voice was careful, reverent. “Is she—”

Theo stepped forward, his voice steady, filled with certainty. “She’s our mate.”

My heart slammed against my ribs. I had left everything behind for this moment. And somehow, standing here, with them, feeling the magic of the land itself welcome me home—

I knew I’d never made a more right choice in my life.

The energy in the air thickened, crackling with something unseen but undeniably powerful. I barely had a moment to steady myself before a presence made itself known—commanding, ancient, and impossible to ignore.

A figure stepped forward, his robes flowing as if moved by a wind only he could feel. His sharp gaze locked onto me, something almost reverent flickering in his eyes. “This power…” he murmured, as if speaking to himself. Then, more clearly, “I am Aaleric, High Mage of the Coven. And you—”

He took a slow step forward, eyes narrowing. “You are not just any mate.”

I swallowed hard. There was something in his gaze, like he was unraveling a mystery he hadn’t even known existed.

And then—

“This energy…” Aaleric’s voice dropped to a whisper. “It is familiar. This—this is Astoria’s bloodline.”

My heart stuttered. “You knew my grandmother?”

Aaleric’s expression darkened with something deep, something old. “Knew her?” His voice softened with the weight of memories. “We worked together. She was a force of nature, a mind sharper than any blade. I fought beside her, trusted her with my life. But then she was lost to us. Banished. We searched, but she was gone. And now—”

His eyes flickered with something powerful. “Now, you stand here.”

Before I could even process that, another voice broke through.

“Astoria Lunacaster.” The deep, commanding tone sent a shiver down my spine.

Liam.

I turned toward him, my breath catching. The legendary Alpha. The father of my mates. His piercing blue gaze swept over me, knowing, calculating—and then, with a hint of something softer—understanding.

“I knew her too,” Liam admitted. “She was a incredible wizard that helped our pack. A woman of magic and wisdom. We always wondered what happened to her.”

My throat tightened. “She was banished to the human world… and she told me about you.” My gaze locked onto Liam’s. “She told me about the prophecy…”

Something flashed in Liam’s eyes—pain, memory, then the quiet steel of a man who had lived through it all.

Vanessa stepped closer, her warm brown eyes anchoring me in the storm of revelations. “She would be proud of you, Mia. You made the right choice. It takes courage to step into the unknown, to leave everything behind for love. But you did it.”

I barely had a moment to breathe before Theo and Xander closed in protectively around me, their presence grounding me, reassuring me. I felt Theo’s warmth at my side, Xander’s steady touch at my back—always there, always mine.

I had never felt so overwhelmed.

And yet—

I had never felt so right.

Chapter 24

POV: Mia

The twins led me through the halls of their home, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Everything felt different here—the scents, the energy, the undeniable pull of the mate bond thrumming under my skin. By the time we reached their bedroom, my heart was pounding, but not from nerves. From something deeper. Something I was finally ready to accept fully.

Xander hesitated at the door, his piercing blue eyes searching mine. “Do you need space, Mia? We don’t want to overwhelm you.”

I let out a breathless chuckle, shaking my head. “I had too much space in the last few days. I hated it. I missed you both so much.”

That was all it took.

Theo was the first to close the distance, his hands cradling my face as his lips claimed mine—hot, desperate, reverent. Xander followed, his touch just as hungry but controlled, his forehead pressing to mine like he was grounding himself in my presence. They surrounded me, their warmth, their scent, their love wrapping around me like something I never wanted to let go of again.

Everything in me surrendered.

The mate bond roared to life, stronger than ever, weaving us together in a way that left me gasping. I had felt our connection before, but here, in their world, it was undeniable. Magic pulsed between us, deeper than anything physical, tying me to them in body and soul. I felt them—truly felt them—as if they were a part of me, as if I had been waiting for this moment my whole life.

I felt them around me. I felt their love. I felt the longing that had built up between us in those days apart. Two days had felt like a lifetime. I could feel in Xander’s touch everything he wanted to say but hadn’t. And even though Theo was the most physical one, it was Xander who kissed me first. He cupped my face and captured my lips in a kiss that was both desperate and commanding, his usual composure cracking under the weight of our need. He caught my bottom lip between his teeth, his blue eyes locking onto mine, searching, struggling to believe this was real.

Theo’s hands moved over my body, his warmth enveloping me from behind. I could feel his hardness pressing into me, his breath hot against my neck. When he kissed me there, I tilted my head, granting him access.

Xander kissed me again, deeper this time, like he was devouring me. My hands trembled as I reached for them, desperate to feel their skin, their warmth. Xander slowly pulled my sweater up, his fingers skimming my ribs, sending shivers down my spine. Theo’s hands moved lower, unbuttoning my jeans. I let them take control, let them strip me bare, their touch reverent, worshipping.

Xander knelt before me, his eyes dark with hunger as he slid my panties down. When his breath ghosted over my center, I shuddered, anticipation coiling tight inside me. Then his mouth was on me, his tongue teasing, licking, sucking, and the moan that tore from my lips was raw. I tangled my fingers in his hair, holding him to me, feeling the slow, torturous strokes of his tongue as he slid a finger inside me.

Behind me, Theo unhooked my bra, his rough hands caressing my arms, my breasts, his touch grounding me as I melted into Xander’s mouth. He didn’t stop, didn’t let up until I shattered, pleasure rolling through me in waves so intense I nearly collapsed. Theo caught me, holding me up, his strength unwavering as I gasped for breath.

And then he carried me to the bed.

I didn’t need to tell them what I wanted. They already knew. They stripped off their clothes, their eyes never leaving me, the heat between us turning electric. Theo climbed onto the bed first, his body over mine, his lips claiming me again. Xander came from the other side, his hands mapping every inch of my skin, his kisses trailing fire down my throat, my collarbone.

I reached for Xander first, my hand wrapping around him, feeling the weight of him, the way he groaned at my touch. It was primal, raw. He surrendered to me in that moment, his control slipping, and I loved it. I wanted more.

I took him into my mouth, loving the way he shuddered beneath my touch, the way he gripped my hair, cursing under his breath. At the same time, Theo positioned himself behind me, his hands gripping my hips as he slowly, torturously pushed inside me. My body stretched around him, the pleasure so sharp and consuming I nearly sobbed.

Theo held me there, letting me adjust, his lips pressing to my spine, his hands caressing my waist. Xander groaned, his hand tangling in my hair as he thrust into my mouth, his control slipping more and more with each second. I was surrounded by them, consumed by them, their bodies moving with mine, their wolves as desperate for me as they were.

I felt everything—not just the physical, but the magic, the bond, the way our souls intertwined. The pleasure was unlike anything I had ever known, something beyond this world, something only mates could feel. It built higher and higher until I couldn’t hold on any longer, until the three of us shattered together, moaning, gasping, trembling in each other’s arms.

And we didn’t stop. We worshipped each other, again and again, losing ourselves in the connection, in the love, in the bond that nothing and no one could ever break.

I was in pure paradise. With my mates. With my forever.

The magic in this world was alive. It wasn’t just a whispered idea or a fantasy—here, it was tangible, pulsing through the very air, seeping into the walls, the ground beneath my feet. I could feel it thrumming around me, like a second heartbeat I hadn’t yet learned to sync with.

It was overwhelming.

I tried to breathe through it, tried to adjust, but no matter how many times I reminded myself that this was my new reality, a part of me still felt out of place. Like an intruder in a world that wasn’t mine, a world that didn’t quite accept me yet.

The twins had been busy. Between the council, their parents, and the endless duties of running a pack, I barely saw them during the day. They always returned to me at night, their presence grounding, their touch reassuring, but in the daylight hours, I was left alone to navigate this unfamiliar place.

And the pack…

I wasn’t blind to the way they looked at me. Some with curiosity, others with outright hesitation. A few with something colder, something sharper.

They saw me as an outsider. A human in a world of wolves. And even though the mate bond had chosen me, even though I belonged to their Alphas, I could feel the weight of their skepticism pressing against my skin like an unseen force.

I wasn’t one of them. Not yet. And maybe, in their eyes, not ever.

I knew it would take time. I knew acceptance wouldn’t come easily. But hearing the whispers as I passed through the halls, the hushed conversations that ceased the moment I entered a room—it chipped away at me. Doubt crept in like a slow-moving poison, curling around my mind and feeding the fear I hadn’t wanted to acknowledge.

What if I never fit in here? What if they never accepted me as their Luna?

I told myself I was being paranoid, that I just needed to be patient. But then I heard them.

I hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. I was only passing the meeting room, the heavy wooden door left partially open, just enough for their voices to spill into the hall.

“She’s human. How can she possibly lead us?”

“She doesn’t understand our ways, our laws. The mate bond chose her, but that doesn’t mean she’s ready.”

“Exactly. The twins are strong, but they need a Luna who—”

“Enough.” Liam’s voice cut through the air, sharp and commanding, carrying the weight of an Alpha who would not tolerate insubordination. The room fell silent, but the words had already done their damage, sinking into my chest like claws.

I felt frozen in place, my pulse roaring in my ears. It wasn’t just suspicion—it was doubt, real and heavy, hanging over me like a storm cloud I couldn’t outrun.

And then Liam spoke again, his tone unwavering. “Mia is the mate of my sons. That alone makes her your Luna. Whether you doubt her or not is irrelevant. She is here, and she will lead beside them.”

A beat of silence.

Then another voice, lower, hesitant. “With all due respect, Alpha… does she even want this?”

The question made my breath catch.

Do I?

I took a shaky step back, ready to turn away, ready to pretend I hadn’t heard any of it. But then Liam’s voice rang out again, firm and knowing.

“Mia, come inside.”

My stomach dropped.

Shit.

Chapter 25

POV: Mia

And then Liam spoke again, his tone unwavering. “Mia is the mate of my sons. That alone makes her your Luna. Whether you doubt her or not is irrelevant. She is here, and she will lead beside them.”

A beat of silence.

Then another voice, lower, hesitant. “With all due respect, Alpha… does she even want this?”

The question made my breath catch.

Do I?

I took a shaky step back, ready to turn away, ready to pretend I hadn’t heard any of it. But then Liam’s voice rang out again, firm and knowing.

“Mia, come inside.”

My stomach dropped.

Shit.

I glanced toward the open door, my hands suddenly clammy. Every instinct told me to run, to escape before I had to face what I had just heard. But I couldn’t. Not when Liam had called me out so directly.

Slowly, I stepped inside.

The room was filled with pack leaders, warriors, advisors—wolves who had spent their entire lives dedicated to this world, to these rules. And then there was me. The human girl they weren’t sure belonged here.

I could feel Xander and Theo’s eyes on me the moment I entered. Theo’s jaw was clenched tight, his body already tense like he was fighting the urge to step between me and everyone else. Xander’s expression was unreadable, but his gaze was piercing, assessing every flicker of emotion on my face.

They wanted to protect me. I could see it in every fiber of their being. But Liam…

Liam was testing me.

He knew I was strong enough to hear this, to face it. And he wasn’t going to shield me from it.

I swallowed hard and met his gaze. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”

His lips twitched in something that wasn’t quite a smile but held something close to approval. “You were bound to hear it sooner or later.”

I hesitated, my hands curling into fists at my sides. “They have doubts.”

A silence stretched over the room, thick and heavy. No one denied it.

Liam’s gaze didn’t waver. “They do.”

I let the weight of that settle over me. It hurt, more than I wanted to admit. But I wasn’t naïve enough to think that being fated to the heirs of this pack meant I would automatically be accepted. Fate could tie us together, but respect had to be earned.

I took a breath and lifted my chin. “I want to learn. I know I don’t have the experience, and I know I don’t understand everything yet. But I will. And whether you like it or not, I’m here. So you can either help me become the Luna this pack needs, or you can stand in my way.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the room, surprise flashing in a few sets of eyes. But it was Liam who held my gaze the longest, something unreadable passing over his face before he finally gave me a single nod.

“That,” he said, “is the response of a Luna.”

Theo let out a slow breath beside me, and Xander’s lips quirked slightly, the hint of a smirk that told me he wasn’t surprised by my reaction at all.

The tension in the room didn’t disappear, but it shifted.

And for the first time since stepping into this world, I felt like I had taken a step toward truly belonging.

The tension in the room was thick, heavy like the air before a storm. I could still feel the remnants of my own emotions—uncertainty, fear, the weight of being an outsider—but they were nothing compared to the murmurs filling the meeting chamber.

Liam had defended me, his voice like steel as he reminded the pack leaders that I was their Luna. But doubt still lingered in their eyes.

Then Aaleric stood. The entire room quieted, as if the energy in the air shifted with him. His presence was magnetic, powerful in a way that felt different from the wolves—less primal, more ancient. He turned to Liam and inclined his head in a silent request. Liam nodded once, his expression unreadable but trusting.

Aaleric’s gaze settled on me.

“Mia,” he said, his voice rich with something I couldn’t place. “You feel it, don’t you? The magic in this world. It’s not just around you—it’s in you.”

I swallowed hard. I had felt it, a strange pulse in the air, something more than just my senses playing tricks on me. But I had pushed it aside, unwilling to think about what it meant.

“Let me show you,” Aaleric continued.

Before I could even respond, he lifted his hands. A soft hum filled the air, the scent of something earthy and electric wrapping around me. And then I felt it—

A rush of warmth igniting inside me, like something waking up after being dormant for too long. My breath caught as silver light flickered from my skin, swirling around my hands like mist, like liquid energy. It wasn’t just glowing—it was alive, shifting and bending with my emotions. My heart pounded as the energy curled up my arms, shimmering with an ethereal beauty that felt both foreign and completely natural at the same time.

Gasps echoed through the chamber.

Aaleric turned to the pack leaders, his voice steady and commanding. “I know you wonder how a human could ever be your Luna. How she could possibly lead you.” He gestured toward me, the silver glow still shimmering around me. “You should all understand that she is already a magician—like me. She was born with sacred magician blood, and that alone proves she belongs here.”

The murmurs began again, hushed but uncertain.

“But even more than this,” Aaleric continued, his eyes dark and intense, “you should understand that everything Nyxara did to this family, everything she tried to prevent, has led to this moment.”

The murmurs grew into hushed questions, doubt and curiosity weaving through the pack leaders and warriors like a tangible force.

Aaleric only smiled knowingly. “You all know that wolves are born, not made. To attempt to transform a human into a wolf would be a death sentence. But what you fail to see is that wolves themselves are part human.” He let his words settle, the gravity of them pressing into the room. “The magical blood within Mia makes her different. It allows her to survive what no ordinary human could.” He looked straight at me, his voice dropping just slightly. “When the twins mark her, she will become something entirely new—a perfect mix of all three forms: human, wizard, and wolf.”

The prophecy.

A new Era.

The realization slammed into me like a tidal wave. My breath shuddered out as the pieces clicked into place—the reason Nyxara had tried to stop my grandmother from ever crossing paths with the Nightfangs, the reason she tried to separate Liam and Vanessa, the reason she had failed.

She had spent all this time trying to stop the prophecy, and in doing so, she had fulfilled it.

I was part of it.

I was the reason it could finally come true.

Aaleric’s voice rang out, filling every corner of the room. “This is what the prophecy speaks of. A new balance, a new Luna, and a future that has never existed before.”

Silence followed his words. No more skepticism, no more whispers of doubt. Just stunned understanding.

I exhaled slowly, my pulse steadying as I looked at the twins. Their eyes burned with pride, with something deeper—something that had been waiting for this moment just as much as I had.

Without thinking, I reached out and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. The moment my skin met theirs, a shock of warmth ran through me—not just warmth, but something powerful, something undeniable.

I didn’t just feel ready. I was ready.

For the first time since I entered this world, I knew—

I was their Luna.

Chapter 26

POV: Mia

The room was heavy with the weight of what had just happened. My body still hummed with energy, the silver glow of my awakened magic lingering like a phantom in my veins. I could feel the magic—my magic—alive inside me, stronger than I ever imagined it could be. But now, sitting at the long table surrounded by the people who mattered most in this world, I knew there was more to discuss.

Liam stood at the head of the table, his piercing blue eyes scanning each of us before settling on Aaleric. Vanessa sat beside him, a steady presence, her warm brown eyes filled with both pride and concern. Theo and Xander flanked me, their warmth grounding me as my thoughts swirled. Aaleric, calm and composed, leaned slightly forward, his fingers laced together as if carefully choosing his words.

“A fated mate, unmarked, is a dangerous thing,” Aaleric finally said, his voice steady but serious. “Especially now that Mia’s magic has awakened. The bond exists, but it’s fragile—unsecured. Anyone with the knowledge and the power could interfere.”

I swallowed hard, feeling the twins tense on either side of me. Xander’s hand found mine under the table, his thumb tracing slow, grounding circles on my skin. Theo’s jaw was tight, his body coiled like he was preparing for a fight.

Aaleric turned his gaze to me, softer now. “You are stronger than you know, Mia. But the marking isn’t just symbolic. It’s an anchor. The moment you and the twins complete the bond, your connection will be undeniable. No magic, no force in this world or any other, will be able to sever it.”

Liam gave a slow nod, his expression unreadable. “But the process is intense. And for a human—” He paused, correcting himself. “For someone who has only just discovered what they are, it can be overwhelming.”

“I will prepare potions,” Aaleric continued, his silver eyes sharp. “To make Mia stronger, to ensure that her body and soul can handle the transformation when the time comes. But I advise that you do this soon.”

Theo let out a quiet growl, shaking his head. “We’re not rushing this.”

“We will wait,” Xander agreed, his voice firmer than usual. “Mia will decide when she’s ready.”

The way they said it—unshakable, unwavering—made something tighten in my chest. Even though I had been thrust into a world I barely understood, even though the prophecy loomed over us like a shadow, they would never force this on me. They would wait, no matter the risk.

Aaleric sighed, but there was no frustration in his gaze, only understanding. “I expected nothing less from you two. But know this: you won’t have forever.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and unspoken. I exhaled slowly, pressing my palms against the table, feeling the weight of everything pressing back.

Then, I looked at Theo. At Xander. My mates. My fate. My choice.

“I know,” I said softly. “And I’ll be ready.”

Vanessa smiled, the expression filled with a mother’s quiet pride, and Liam gave me a short nod, as if he had already known I would come to that conclusion.

The path ahead was clear. And I would walk it—on my terms.

The next few days were a whirlwind. The twins were always by my side, guiding me through every step of my adjustment to this world. They showed me their office, the very place where they handled the pack’s affairs, strategized with the council, and made decisions that shaped their people’s future. It was overwhelming at first, but I threw myself into reading their laws, understanding the history, the structure, the responsibilities I would have as their Luna. I needed to know what was expected of me, and I refused to be ignorant about the role I was stepping into.

Vanessa was a godsend.

She understood better than anyone what it meant to be thrown into a world you didn’t grow up in. She had once been human—well, as human as a werewolf could be without knowing what she truly was. She had spent days in my world, oblivious to her own magic, her own nature, just as I had. Now, she was this regal, powerful woman, a Luna, a mother, a leader. And she helped me in every way she could.

“This world is intense,” I admitted one afternoon as we sat in one of the palace’s sunlit lounges. I had a stack of books in front of me, legal texts that felt heavier than the weight of my own destiny.

Vanessa smiled knowingly, sipping her tea. “It is. But so are you.”

I let out a breath. “Sometimes it feels like I’m playing catch-up while everyone else is already miles ahead.”

“You don’t have to know everything right away,” she assured me. “When I first came back, I felt lost too. But you… you’re choosing this with open eyes. That makes you stronger than you realize.”

Her words settled something in me. Vanessa wasn’t just my mate’s mother—she was becoming a mentor, a friend. A figure of comfort that I hadn’t realized I needed so badly.

That afternoon, Xander left with Vanessa to sign some important papers, and Theo, ever the warrior, had disappeared to the training grounds with the guards. That left me alone in their office, a rare moment of solitude as I sifted through more records, trying to familiarize myself with the laws and customs.

Then, the door opened.

Liam Nightfang.

He stepped inside with the presence of a king, his piercing blue eyes—the same as his sons’—assessing me with quiet intensity. I immediately stood, unsure of the protocol when faced with the Alpha of all Alphas.

“You don’t have to stand for me, Mia,” he said, voice calm but firm.

I hesitated before sitting back down. “The twins and Vanessa aren’t here. Xander left to handle paperwork and Theo’s with the guards.”

Liam nodded, closing the door behind him. “I know. I came to speak with you.”

My stomach twisted with nerves. “About what?”

He walked over, taking the seat across from me. For a moment, he simply studied me, as if trying to unravel the depths of who I was. Then, he exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly.

“I searched for my mate for years,” he began, his voice carrying the weight of a man who had lived through immeasurable trials. “Fifteen years. And when I finally found her Nyxara took her from me. I had to go into the human world, earn her love again without the mate bond guiding her, she didn’t remember me.”

I listened intently, my heart aching for him. I knew the story, but hearing it from him directly felt different.

“I thought that was the hardest thing I had ever done,” Liam continued. “But I had no idea what you would have to give up to be here.” His eyes softened, something deeper shining through them. “Mia, you left behind everything. Your world, your future, the life you had planned. You walked into the unknown, into a place that wasn’t yours, for the people you love. That is not something everyone could do.”

Emotion tightened in my throat. “I didn’t feel like I had a choice. They’re my mates.”

Liam’s lips twitched in the faintest smirk. “There’s always a choice. And you made yours with bravery.”

I swallowed hard, his words settling deep in my soul.

“My father and my mother died when I was little,” I admitted quietly, surprising even myself. “I barely remember him. My grandmother did her best, but… I never had someone look at me the way you’re looking at me now. With pride.”

Liam’s expression didn’t change, but something in the air shifted. He reached across the desk, placing a strong, reassuring hand over mine.

“You are part of this family now, Mia,” he said. “You will be an incredible Luna.”

And for the first time since arriving in this world, I truly believed it.

Chapter 27

POV: Mia

The twins had to leave for a council trip, something about finalizing documents regarding me and their official transition into power. I hated that I couldn’t go, but an unmarked mate was too vulnerable outside of pack lands, and they weren’t willing to risk it. I wasn’t either—not really—but the thought of them being away still left an ache in my chest.

The goodbye was harder than I expected. Xander cupped my face, his blue eyes burning into mine as he pressed a lingering kiss to my lips. “We’ll be back before you know it, beauty. Try not to miss us too much.”

Theo wasn’t as composed. He held me tightly, his fingers gripping my waist, his lips ghosting over mine before he gave in and kissed me deeply. When he pulled back, his voice was rough. “We’ll miss you, little fox. Every second.”

I clung to them for a moment, inhaling their scents, feeling the warmth of their bodies against mine before they finally stepped away. “I’ll miss you both too. Just… be careful.”

They promised they would. And then they were gone.

At first, I tried to distract myself. I spent the day with Vanessa, walking through the pack, trying to learn more about their laws, their customs, the responsibilities of being Luna. She was patient with me, always understanding, always warm. I saw the way the pack respected her—not just because she was their Luna, but because she had earned it.

“I won’t lie to you, Mia,” she said as we sat together in the courtyard. “This world is overwhelming at first. But you’re already stronger than you think. You’ve made the choice to be here, to stand beside my sons. That’s what matters.”

Her words comforted me, but as the hours passed and night crept in, the distance between me and the twins became unbearable. The mate bond stretched, thin and aching, like an invisible string pulling me toward them, only to remind me they weren’t here. I tried to sleep, but every time I closed my eyes, I felt the absence of their warmth, their presence.

I was still lying awake when the doors to the pack house slammed open.

That strange feeling in my chest, the one I kept telling myself was just the mate bond stretching, sharpened into something more. A warning.

Something was wrong.

I shot up, throwing a robe over my nightgown as I stepped out of the twins’ room. Heavy, uneven footsteps echoed downstairs. A sharp, metallic scent filled the air—blood. My stomach twisted.

Liam.

I rushed toward the sound, my heart pounding in my throat. Vanessa was right behind me, her breath catching the second we saw him.

Liam stumbled into the room, his powerful frame weakened, his shirt soaked in crimson. His dark eyes locked onto mine, burning with urgency.

“We were ambushed,” he gritted out, his voice raw. “The twins—”

My breath caught. “No. No, no, no.”

Vanessa ran to him, her face pale, hands already reaching for him. “Liam! Goddess, you’re hurt—what happened? Where are the boys?”

Liam clenched his jaw, pressing a hand against his side where blood seeped through his fingers. “They fought back. They’re alive. But they were outnumbered. I came to take the guards. They’re still out there, fighting.”

A cold wave of terror crashed over me. The room spun, my heartbeat roaring in my ears.

“We have to go after them,” I choked out. “Right now.”

Liam’s hand shot out, gripping my wrist—strong, despite his injuries. “No, Mia. You can’t. It’s too dangerous.”

“I don’t care!” My voice cracked, desperation rising like a tidal wave. “I can’t just sit here while they—while they—”

Vanessa pressed a trembling hand to her mouth, her eyes shimmering with fear, but she was already moving. Already shouting orders. “Get the healers! Summon the warriors! We move now!” Her voice was fierce despite the panic in her eyes. “We’ll bring them home.”

Liam gave a sharp nod, his expression grim. “We need to act fast.”

“I can’t stay here doing nothing…” I whispered, more to myself than to them.

Liam turned to me then, his eyes piercing through the haze of my fear. “Then don’t.” His voice was low, steady. “Make sure we have a pack to come back to.”

I blinked. “What?”

“The pack is in your hands now,” he said, his words clear and unwavering. “Magnus and Ein will assist, but you’re in charge while we’re gone. Every warrior, every decision—they report to you.” He held my gaze. “You can do this. Do you hear me?”

I swallowed hard. “Yes, Alpha.”

But as I watched them prepare for battle, all I could think about was Theo and Xander.

Out there, fighting for their lives.

And I wasn’t there to fight with them.

The moment Liam left with the warriors, the weight of his words settled over me like a heavy mantle.

Make sure we have a pack to come back to.

There was no time to crumble under my fear. No time to give in to the panic threatening to swallow me whole. Theo and Xander were out there, fighting for their lives, and the best way I could help them was by protecting what they loved.

I straightened my shoulders and walked into the twins’ office.

The massive room carried their presence even in their absence—Xander’s desk, meticulously organized, with contracts neatly stacked in perfect alignment, and Theo’s, slightly less so, with a few open reports scattered, like he had left in a rush. My fingers brushed over the edges of the papers as I forced a breath into my lungs. Focus, Mia. Do what needs to be done.

Magnus and Ein were already there, standing tall, their faces grim. They were the betas of the pack, strong and capable, but at that moment, they were looking at me.

Waiting for my orders.

I inhaled deeply and met their gazes. “We have half of our warriors with Liam. I want a full status report on the ones left behind. Patrols need to be doubled at the borders. No one enters or leaves without clearance. I want eyes everywhere.”

Magnus gave a sharp nod. “Already working on it.”

“Good,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “Make sure the healers are prepared. I don’t care if they have to stay awake all night—we need to be ready for the worst.”

Ein stepped forward. “And what about the pack? They’re scared.”

I clenched my jaw. I knew they were. The mate bond was already stretched thin, a constant dull ache in my chest from the twins being too far away. The rest of the pack, bound to their Alphas in a different way, must have felt it too.

“I’ll talk to them,” I said firmly. “Let them know we’re holding strong. That we trust Theo and Xander to come back.”

The two betas exchanged a glance before nodding.

It wasn’t much, but it was something.

And yet, despite everything I did, the gnawing feeling in my gut wouldn’t go away.

Something was missing.

I needed to do more.

Then, suddenly, I knew.

Aaleric.

“I have to go,” I said abruptly, already moving toward the door.

Magnus frowned. “Go where?”

I didn’t slow. “To find Aaleric.”

“Mia—” Ein started, but I was already gone.

Chapter 28

POV: Mia

The temple smelled of ancient magic and burning herbs. The air hummed with power, the weight of unseen forces pressing against my skin as I stepped inside. Aaleric stood at the altar, his deep golden eyes flicking to me the moment I entered.

“You felt it,” he murmured, like he already knew why I was there.

I nodded, my throat tight. “I need to help them.”

He studied me for a long moment, then slowly inclined his head. “And you can.”

Hope surged in my chest, raw and desperate. “Tell me how.”

Aaleric stepped forward, his gaze piercing. “You are not only a human, Mia. You are the granddaughter of Astoria Lunacaster, a woman of great power. That blood runs through you.”

Magic.

The part of me I had barely begun to understand.

“What do I do?” I whispered.

Aaleric reached into his robes and pulled out a small silver dagger, pressing it into my palm. “Magic is energy. Healing magic even more so. But to channel it—to send it through the mate bond—you need an anchor. A connection.”

I looked at the blade in my hand, my pulse racing. “My blood.”

He nodded. “Blood is life. Life is energy. And energy flows where intention goes.”

I exhaled shakily and stepped toward the altar, gripping the dagger. My hands trembled as I pressed the blade to my palm, drawing a thin line of crimson. Aaleric guided my other hand over a bowl of shimmering water.

“Close your eyes,” he instructed. “Feel them. Reach through the bond.”

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering. I felt them—the ache in my chest, the tug of our connection, distant but strong. They were out there. Alive. Fighting.

I focused on them. On Theo’s raw, untamed fire. On Xander’s sharp, unwavering control. On the love I felt for them, so powerful it nearly crushed me.

Aaleric’s voice was low, steady. “Now, give them your strength.”

The moment the words left his lips, I pushed.

A rush of energy surged from my chest, through my veins, down to my bleeding palm. Magic flared, a golden light pouring from my skin, crackling in the air like a storm. The pain in my heart lessened. The bond tightened.

Somewhere out there, Theo gasped. Xander stiffened.

I felt it.

Felt the moment my energy reached them, wrapping around their wounds, easing their pain.

Theo’s heartbeat steadied. Xander’s breath evened.

And then, for the first time since they left, I heard them.

A whisper in my mind.

Mia?

Theo’s voice. Rough. Strained. But there.

Tears burned my eyes as I clenched my fists. “I’m here,” I whispered. “I won’t let you go.”

A pause. A shuddering breath.

Mia, Xander said this time, softer, but filled with something deep. You found us.

My knees nearly buckled, but Aaleric caught me, his hands steadying my shoulders. “You did well,” he murmured.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my whole body shaking.

I had done it.

I had found them.

And now, no matter what came next, I wouldn’t lose them.

I gritted my teeth, pouring everything I had into the bond. The golden light flickered around me, crackling through the air, surging from my chest and into the mate bond, stretching across the distance to Theo and Xander.

I felt them—their wounds, their exhaustion. I felt Theo’s bruised ribs, the cut along Xander’s shoulder. And I pushed more, willing them to heal, willing my strength into them.

I could barely breathe. My vision blurred at the edges. But I needed to give them more.

Aaleric’s voice cut through the haze. “That’s enough, Mia.”

“No,” I gasped, my hands shaking. “I can give them more.”

A firm grip closed around my wrist. “More than this is dangerous.” His tone was steady, but there was a warning underneath it. “You’ve already sent them what they need. If you push too hard, you’ll collapse.”

I swayed where I stood, and Aaleric’s grip tightened. He wasn’t wrong—I could feel my energy draining, like I was running on empty.

I swallowed hard, the golden light around me flickering before fading. The connection was still there, but the magic had done its job.

They were healing.

That was enough.

For now.

I exhaled sharply and nodded. “I need to get back to the pack.”

Aaleric studied me for a long moment, then released my wrist. “Go. But take care of yourself, Mia. Your role is just as important as theirs.”

I nodded, but my legs felt unsteady as I left the temple, my entire body drained.

By the time I reached the pack house, every step felt like I was walking through water. My limbs ached, my head spun, but I couldn’t stop now.

Magnus and Ein were waiting the moment I stepped through the doors. Their sharp gazes flicked over me, immediately noticing something was off.

“Mia,” Ein said, stepping forward. “What happened?”

I shook my head, trying to stay steady. “I found Aaleric,” I murmured. “He helped me… I sent healing energy to the twins.”

Ein’s eyes darkened. “How much?”

I hesitated, then admitted, “Everything I could.”

A curse slipped from her lips as she exchanged a glance with Magnus. “Sit down,” Ein ordered, already moving toward the kitchen.

“There’s no time—”

“You’re not giving a speech in this condition,” she interrupted firmly. “You’ll collapse halfway through, and then the pack will really panic.”

I clenched my jaw, frustration burning in my chest. But I knew she was right.

Magnus guided me to a chair, his expression unreadable as Ein returned a few minutes later, setting a steaming cup in front of me along with a plate of food.

“The most important role of a Beta,” Ein said as she poured the tea, “is to keep the Alpha and Luna strong. Fed. Good.” Her sharp eyes met mine. “You want to lead this pack? Then take care of yourself first.”

I stared at the meal, my throat tightening. No one had ever looked after me like this before. I had spent so long taking care of myself that accepting help felt… foreign.

But I wasn’t alone anymore.

I was part of something bigger now.

I nodded once and picked up the tea, the warmth seeping into my fingers. “Thank you,” I murmured.

Ein gave a satisfied nod. “Eat.”

And I did. I forced down every bite, knowing I needed to be strong for what came next.

After a quick shower, I stood in front of the mirror, hands gripping the sink as I took a deep breath.

I was about to step in front of an entire pack—their pack.

And I was still unmarked.

An outsider.

Doubt crept into my mind, but I shoved it aside. It didn’t matter. Mark or not, I was theirs. And they needed me.

Steeling myself, I walked outside.

The pack was already gathered in the courtyard, their faces tense, eyes filled with unease. They were waiting for someone—anyone—to tell them things would be okay.

I stepped onto the raised platform, feeling the weight of their gazes. My pulse pounded, but I let my voice ring out strong and clear.

“I know some of you don’t trust me.”

Silence.

“I know you see me as an outsider. A Luna from a different world. An unmarked mate.” I let my gaze sweep over them. “And I know that today, more than ever, you’re afraid. Because your Alphas—the heirs of this pack—are out there fighting. Because your Alpha is out there fighting. And because your Luna is out there with him.”

A few heads lowered, uncertainty flickering through the crowd.

“But I’ll tell you this,” I continued, my voice unwavering. “They will come back. And when they do, we will be readyfor them. We will stand strong. Because that is what this pack does.”

A murmur spread through them, quiet but growing.

“I may not have been born here,” I said, my chest rising with every word. “But I am yours. And I swear to you—I will protect this pack with everything I have.”

Silence stretched for one heartbeat. Then another.

And then—

A howl split through the air.

Then another.

And another.

The courtyard erupted with sound, voices cheering, wolves howling in unison, their energy rising like a wave crashing over me.

They accepted me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my hands trembling at my sides.

And then—

The bond pulled.

A sharp, undeniable tug in my chest.

I turned just as the first figures appeared on the horizon.

Theo.

Xander.

Their eyes locked onto me, their bodies still bruised but standing strong, their presence overwhelming.

They were home.

And I was running toward them.

Chapter 29

POV: Mia

I didn’t think.

I just ran.

The second I saw them—Theo and Xander, bruised, bloodstained, but alive—my legs moved on their own. I barely registered the crowd parting around me, the pounding of my heart drowning out everything else.

All I saw was them.

The moment I reached them, my body collided with theirs, arms wrapping around them so tightly it almost hurt. I didn’t care.

They were here. They were breathing.

A choked sound slipped from my lips as I buried my face into Theo’s shoulder, my fingers clenching the fabric of Xander’s torn shirt.

“I thought—I thought—” My voice broke.

“You saved us.” Theo’s voice was rough, exhausted. “Twice.”

Xander’s fingers traced the back of my neck, his touch grounding me. “We felt it,” he murmured. “Both times. It was like you were there, pushing us to keep going.”

I pulled back enough to see their faces—cut, bruised, tired, but whole.

And then I saw them.

Liam and Vanessa.

Vanessa looked shaken but strong, her brown eyes searching mine. And Liam—Liam’s gaze locked onto me with something raw, something powerful, something that made my throat tighten.

They were here.

They were all here.

But there were still wounded warriors behind them. And I was still their Luna.

I swallowed hard, forcing down the emotion clogging my throat. “We need to get you all to the hospital.”

Theo hesitated, but Xander nodded. “You heard her.”

And just like that, we moved.

The hospital was already prepared.

Because I had made sure of it.

The second we entered, healers and doctors were waiting, beds ready, supplies organized. Warriors were taken in immediately, and within moments, Theo and Xander were settled in separate beds, side by side.

And I was right between them.

I couldn’t leave. I wouldn’t leave.

I gripped each of their hands, watching as the healers worked over their wounds, exhaustion weighing on all of us. The adrenaline had long faded, leaving only bone-deep fatigue and a quiet, unshakable relief.

They were okay.

I sat there for what felt like forever, my mind still catching up to the fact that they were here, that they weren’t—

The door opened.

Liam and Vanessa stepped in, followed closely by Magnus and Ein.

I sat up straighter, instinctively preparing for whatever they had to say.

Xander’s voice cut through the quiet first. “So.” He tilted his head at me, exhaustion laced with amusement. “You were giving a speech when we arrived?”

I flushed. “I—”

“She wasn’t just giving a speech,” Magnus interrupted. “She was giving a hell of a speech.”

Liam’s expression softened, something like pride flickering in his eyes. “I heard it too.” He crossed his arms. “And I saw what you did today, Mia. The way you took control. The way you led.”

Vanessa nodded, stepping closer. “You kept the pack together. You made sure the healers were ready. You prepared for us.”

Something thick and heavy settled in my chest, but before I could speak, Liam did.

“This attack,” he said, his voice quieter now, heavier, “was from rogues. But they weren’t alone. They had help.” His blue eyes darkened. “Dark witches.”

A shiver ran through me.

“They thought your arrival was a weakness,” Liam continued. “They thought you would make this pack vulnerable.” His gaze bore into mine, filled with something deep, something unshakable.

“But they never expected that you would be our strength.”

I inhaled sharply, my fingers tightening around the twins’ hands.

Strength.

I had spent my whole life standing on my own, fighting for myself, proving that I could handle anything. But this…

I wasn’t alone anymore.

I belonged here.

My chest ached, emotions swelling too fast, too strong. I looked away, trying to hold it in, but Vanessa reached out, squeezing my shoulder.

“I’m proud of you,” she said softly.

Liam nodded. “We both are.”

I swallowed hard, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

No one had ever said that to me before.

Not like this.

Not as family.

After they left, the silence settled between us.

The room was dim, filled with the steady sound of monitors and the quiet breaths of Theo and Xander. I stayed where I was, still holding their hands, still feeling their warmth.

Then Xander tugged me forward.

I barely had time to react before he pulled me into his arms, his grip unbreakable.

I collapsed against him, the dam inside me finally breaking.

“Theo,” I choked, reaching blindly, and he was already there, wrapping his arms around me from behind, surrounding me with both of them.

My chest heaved, my body trembling as I buried myself in them.

“I was scared,” I whispered. “I was so scared I’d never see you again.”

Theo exhaled shakily, his lips pressing against my hair. “You don’t have to be scared, little fox.”

“You saved us,” Xander murmured. “We’re here because of you.”

I tilted my head up, my eyes burning, and without thinking, I pressed a kiss to Xander’s lips—soft, desperate, filled with everything I couldn’t say.

He kissed me back, his grip tightening, like he couldn’t bear to let go.

When I pulled away, Theo was already there, catching my face in his hands, his forehead pressing against mine.

I let out a shaky breath, then kissed him too—deep and lingering, my entire body melting into his.

When I finally pulled back, they were both watching me, their eyes dark with something raw, something unspoken.

I took a breath, steadying myself.

“I love you,” I whispered. “Both of you.”

Their hands tightened around me.

“And we love you,” Theo murmured.

“Always,” Xander added.

I exhaled, my heart settling for the first time since this nightmare began.

We were here.

Together.

And nothing would ever tear us apart.

Chapter 30

POV: Mia

I had been stupid to wait.

Lying between them in the hospital, feeling their warmth, their presence, their love, I knew it.

I had hesitated. I had clung to the last threads of my human logic, convincing myself that I needed more time, that I needed to be sure—as if my heart hadn’t already decided. As if my very soul wasn’t already bound to them.

But tonight, I wasn’t going to wait any longer.

Because I felt it.

The pull, the ache, the need—something deeper than emotion, something older than time itself.

I needed to be marked.

And I needed it now.

By the time dinner was over, I had made up my mind.

It was a quiet, intimate meal—just the three of us in the private dining hall of the pack house. Liam and Vanessa were resting, Magnus and Ein handling pack matters, leaving us in the flickering candlelight, the warmth of home settling over us like a whispered promise.

Theo sat on my right, Xander on my left. They were fully healed now, their strength restored, but their eyes still carried the weight of the battle.

And every time I looked at them, I felt it again.

That deep, unshakable knowing.

I set my fork down, my pulse a steady drumbeat in my ears.

“I want to be marked.”

The words fell from my lips, quiet but certain, cutting through the air like lightning.

Both of them froze.

I watched the way their bodies went still—the subtle tightening of Xander’s grip on his glass, the way Theo’s breath hitched just slightly.

Then, slowly, they turned to me.

Theo was the first to react. His hand found my thigh under the table, fingers curling against me, his voice rough, almost reverent. “Mia…”

Xander’s gaze burned into mine, dark and intense. “Are you sure?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”

They were silent for a moment, reading me, feeling me, their instincts searching for doubt—but there was none.

I reached out, lacing my fingers with Theo’s, then with Xander’s, grounding myself in them. “I know what I want. And I don’t want to wait anymore.”

A sharp exhale, a tremor of something I couldn’t name.

Then, Theo moved.

In one swift motion, he pushed his chair back, turned to face me fully, his hands finding my face as he leaned in, his forehead pressing against mine.

His voice was raw, thick with emotion. “Say it again.”

I swallowed, my heart pounding. “I want to be marked. I need to be marked.”

A shudder ran through him.

Then Xander was there, his fingers tilting my chin up so I was looking into his piercing blue eyes.

“You have no idea what you just did to us,” he murmured.

My breath hitched.

Their hands tightened on me, their touch searing, possessive, loving.

Theo’s lips brushed against my temple, his voice almost desperate. “You’re ours.”

Xander’s mouth grazed my jaw, his breath hot against my skin. “And we’re yours.”

A wave of heat rolled through me, a craving so deep it made my chest ache.

The bond between us pulsed, alive, hungry, demanding.

Tonight, everything would change.

And I was ready.

We didn’t make it to the bed right away.

The moment the door clicked shut, I felt them on me.

Xander in front of me, Theo behind. Their bodies caging me in, surrounding me, claiming me.

And it felt right. Like this was always how it was meant to be.

My home. My place. Not in a packhouse, not in a title—with them.

Everything we held back, every ounce of restraint we carried through dinner, snapped the moment we were alone.

Their hands were on me—gripping, exploring, taking. My own fingers tangled in their shirts, but the fabric was in the way. Too much fabric. I needed skin. I needed them.

It seemed we all had the same thought at once.

Clothes hit the floor, torn, tossed, forgotten. Hands found flesh, roaming, gripping, pressing. And when their bare bodies pressed against mine—one in front, one behind—I felt it.

The bond. The heat. The absolute rightness of it all.

I reached for Xander first, pulling his mouth to mine, our lips crashing together in a desperate kiss. His tongue invaded my mouth, claiming, tasting, consuming me like he was drinking me in.

His hands tangled in my hair, tilting my head, deepening the kiss, making me feel owned.

Behind me, Theo groaned, his breath hot against my neck. Then his hands found my breasts, rough fingers teasing, kneading, claiming. A sharp gasp left my lips, breaking the kiss as my head fell back against his shoulder.

My body burned.

Everywhere they touched me, I needed more. Every place their hands weren’t, I ached for them.

Theo shifted, stepping away just long enough to climb onto the bed, settling back before he met my eyes.

Then he patted his lap.

“Come here, little fox.” His voice was low, rough, filled with hunger.

I obeyed.

Crawling onto the bed, I straddled him, sinking onto his lap as his arms wrapped around me. Our mouths met in a fierce kiss, his grip firm on my hips, pulling me flush against the hard length pressing into me.

Then Xander moved in.

I barely had a chance to breathe before his lips found my neck, trailing lower, teasing, torturing me with each kiss. He worked his way down—collarbone, breasts, stomach—every inch of me claimed with slow, reverent devotion.

And then he reached my core.

My breath hitched as he kissed me there—soft at first, teasing, then deeper, tasting me with the same hunger he had kissed my lips.

I shattered.

Pleasure built fast, overwhelming, consuming me like wildfire.

But he didn’t stop.

Even when I was gasping, trembling, clutching Theo for support, he kept going. Licking. Sucking. Devouring me.

The pleasure hit me in waves, dragging me under, drowning me in bliss.

I barely had time to recover before I felt Theo move beneath me, guiding me forward, shifting me gently as he laid back against the pillows. I settled against his chest, his strong legs spread to cage me between them. His cock pressed against my ass, heavy, ready, but he didn’t rush.

Xander climbed up beside us, his eyes dark, watching me.

And when I looked at him—really looked—I saw it wasn’t just desire.

It was love. Devotion.

A bond so strong it made my chest ache.

Slowly, my fingers traced the faint pink scars from the battle, marking his skin, reminding me of how close I had come to losing them.

I couldn’t lose them.

Ever.

Lower and lower my hands wandered, until I found him.

Xander sucked in a sharp breath as I wrapped my fingers around him, stroking slowly, feeling every ridge, every pulse, every hard inch of him.

Then I leaned in, taking him in my mouth, tasting him, giving him the same pleasure he had just given me.

His head fell back, a low groan escaping his lips as his fingers threaded into my hair.

And then I felt Theo behind me.

I gasped against Xander as Theo spread my legs wider, his mouth finding my core again, his tongue sliding over the same spot Xander had just worshipped.

A jolt of pleasure shot through me.

Giving Xander pleasure while receiving from Theo was something I hadn’t expected to feel—something so overwhelming, so unbearably good that I thought I might break apart from it.

Theo’s tongue teased, licked, devoured me, then his fingers joined in—sliding deep inside, curling, hitting exactlywhere I needed him.

I moaned around Xander, my entire body tightening, coiling, ready to snap.

And when Theo pressed deeper, and Xander tugged my hair just enough to tilt my head up, the pleasure exploded.

I came hard—shaking, gasping, crying out their names as wave after wave of pleasure wrecked me.

Until I collapsed, trembling, against the sheets between them.

And I knew—this was only the beginning.

Chapter 31

POV: Mia

lay sprawled across the sheets, my body still trembling, my breath shallow. My limbs felt heavy, boneless, but something deeper inside me called. The bond—our bond—was still unfinished. And I needed it. Craved it.

My eyes found Xander. He lay beneath me, his broad chest rising and falling with controlled breaths, his sharp gaze locked onto mine. Lust. Devotion. Possession. Love. It was all there, raw and unfiltered.

Slowly, I crawled up his body, pressing my palms against his firm muscles, feeling the heat radiating off his skin. I wanted to melt into him, to drown in this feeling, in him.

When I reached his lips, he cupped my face, kissing me with a gentleness that made my heart ache. But I could feel the tension in his body, the restraint, the way he was holding himself back—for me.

“No more waiting,” I whispered against his lips. “I want all of you.”

His hands gripped my hips, steadying me as I reached between us, guiding him to my entrance. The moment I sank down onto him, a ragged groan tore from his throat.

“Fuck, Mia…” His voice was a plea, a prayer, as his fingers tightened on me. “You feel… so perfect.”

A whimper slipped from my lips as he stretched me, my body molding around him in a way that felt right. Like we were meant for this. Meant for each other.

I didn’t move right away. I just felt him. Felt the way he pulsed inside me, how his body fit against mine like a missing piece of my soul. His eyes locked onto mine, his grip firm but reverent, and I knew—this was everything.

Then I started moving.

A slow, intoxicating rhythm. A perfect symphony of movement, our bodies falling into sync as if we had done this a thousand times before, as if our souls already knew the steps to this dance.

His hands guided me, lifting, lowering, meeting my movements with deep, deliberate thrusts that sent pleasure spikingthrough me. I gasped, clutching his shoulders, anchoring myself to him as he drove me higher, closer to the edge.

“Xander—” My voice was already breaking, the pleasure mounting too fast, too strong.

“I know, queen,” he murmured, his tone dark and strained. “You’re close. So am I. But not yet.”

He suddenly sat up, pressing his chest flush against mine, his arms wrapping around me as he stilled. My body protested, trembling with need, but then he cupped my face, forcing me to look at him. Really look at him.

There was so much love in his eyes that it stole my breath.

His fingers brushed my hair aside, tilting my head to expose my neck. I knew what this meant. Submission. A wolf’s most intimate act of trust. My heart pounded as I bared myself to him, offering everything—my body, my soul, my forever.

His eyes darkened with reverence, with hunger, with love. He leaned in, his lips brushing over the place where my neck met my shoulder, teasing, sending shivers down my spine.

Then he bit me.

Pain—sharp, piercing, consuming. I gasped, my fingers digging into his shoulders. It was unlike anything I’d ever felt, like fire and ice all at once. But then—pleasure. Blinding, soul-deep pleasure that consumed me from the inside out.

I shattered.

A cry tore from my lips as I came, convulsing around him, my entire body clenching, gripping, claiming him as much as he was claiming me. Xander groaned, his tongue laving over the fresh mark, soothing the sting as his hands held me close.

And then—something snapped inside me.

A deep, ancient power pulsed through my veins. Magic, wild and untamed, flared to life within me, surging beneath my skin. My breath hitched, my body trembling as an unfamiliar sensation bloomed in my mouth.

I felt them.

Fangs.

I stared at Xander, wide-eyed, and he smiled, tilting his head to the side, baring his own neck for me. Offering himself.

“Your turn, beauty,” he murmured, his voice rough, full of need. “Take me.”

Instinct guided me. My lips found the junction of his neck and shoulder, my canines grazing his skin. My wolf—my wolf—stirred inside me, demanding I finish the bond. I sank my fangs into him, breaking flesh, tasting him. His blood hit my tongue, rich and potent, sending another wave of pleasure crashing through me.

Xander’s entire body tensed, a choked growl escaping his lips as he let go. His release tore through him, his arms locking around me, his hips pressing deep as he pulsed inside me, filling me completely.

The moment I withdrew my fangs, I licked the wound, sealing it just as he had done for me. My name left his lips in a breathless whisper, his hands still gripping my body as if he never wanted to let go.

And I knew—I never wanted him to.

As I collapsed onto him, his fingers traced the fresh mark on my neck, his lips pressing soft kisses against my hair.

“You’re mine now, Mia,” he whispered. “Forever.”

A shiver ran through me at the sheer certainty in his voice.

I tilted my head up, brushing my lips against his, smiling against his mouth.

“Forever,” I whispered back.

But I wasn’t done yet.

My body still ached for more. And there was still one more bond to complete.

My eyes flicked toward Theo.

He was watching us—waiting.

And he wouldn’t be waiting much longer.

I turned to Theo, who was waiting for me, his chest rising and falling in quick, uneven breaths. His eyes were dark, wild, filled with a hunger that had been building for so long. But before he could move, before he could let that primal part of him take over, I placed a gentle hand on his chest, pressing him back slightly.

I met his eyes, my voice soft but firm. “I know you’ve waited for this for so long, Theo… but let me enjoy you too.”

He sucked in a breath, his jaw clenching, his muscles tense beneath my touch. He was holding back, barely. But he nodded, giving me that control, trusting me.

I took my time, running my fingers over his skin, tracing every ridge of his torso, every defined muscle, every scar. Theo had more scars than Xander—evidence of his time training with the guards, of all the battles he had fought, of the life he had lived before this moment. Before me.

Each pink, thin line was a part of him, and I worshiped them with my lips, pressing soft, reverent kisses along his chest, down his stomach, until I reached the deepest part of him.

I wrapped my hand around his length, feeling the way he pulsed, the way his body reacted to my touch. And when I took him into my mouth, he let out a deep, broken groan, his fingers instantly tangling in my hair.

Unlike Xander, who was calculated and controlled, Theo was pure instinct. Every reaction, every sound, every shudder of his body was unfiltered, overwhelming, and impossibly raw. He wasn’t holding back. He couldn’t. And seeing the effect I had on him, feeling the way his body trembled, made me ache with need.

I moved slowly at first, savoring the way he came undone beneath me, the way his muscles tensed and relaxed with every movement. But it wasn’t long before his control snapped. He growled, gripping my jaw with both hands, pulling me up until our faces were inches apart. His eyes burned into mine.

“I need you,” he rasped, voice wrecked, desperate. “Now.”

Theo laid me down onto the soft sheets, his body covering mine, his warmth surrounding me. He kissed me hard—possessive, claiming, filled with everything he had ever held back. And then he positioned himself at my entrance, pushing inside me slowly, letting me feel every inch as he filled me completely.

My body stretched, accommodated him, the pleasure sharp and deep, unlike anything else.

“Fuck, Mia,” Theo groaned against my lips, his forehead pressing against mine. “You feel… perfect.”

I wrapped my legs around him, pulling him closer, needing him deeper. His hips rolled, thrusting into me with slow, deliberate movements that built the pleasure higher and higher. He was holding back, trying to make this last, but I could feel how close we both were.

I tilted my head to the side, exposing the other side of my neck.

That was all it took.

Theo stilled for half a second, his breath ragged, his entire body shaking with restraint. Then, his eyes changed—darkening with something primal, something ancient, something purely wolf. His fangs descended, sharp and gleaming, and he leaned in, brushing his lips against the sensitive spot where my shoulder met my neck.

A shiver ran through me.

And then he bit me.

A sharp sting of pain, brief but intense, and then—pleasure. A tidal wave of it, rolling through me, consuming me, sending me over the edge so hard I thought I would break apart. I clenched around him, my body tightening, convulsing, my voice breaking into a sob of ecstasy as I shattered beneath him.

The bond snapped into place, something inside me cracking open, something powerful and ancient and undeniable. It was more than magic. More than fate. It was us.

Theo groaned, his body shuddering violently as he came inside me, his grip on me impossibly tight, like he never wanted to let go. He kissed the fresh mark on my neck, his tongue flicking out to soothe the wound, and the sensation sent another jolt of pleasure through me.

And then he tilted his head, exposing his neck to me.

My fangs descended instinctively. I didn’t think—I just knew what to do. Like I had always known.

I bit down, tasting him, claiming him, sealing the bond completely.

Theo let out a deep, guttural sound, his body tensing before he came again, another wave of pleasure crashing through both of us at the same time.

It was overwhelming. It was perfect. It was forever.

When I finally released him, I licked over his mark, just like he had done to mine, and I felt it settle deep in my soul.

We collapsed together, tangled in each other, breathless, completely spent.

My neck burned with the lingering pleasure of the marks, a constant reminder that I was theirs as much as they were mine.

And as we lay there, their bodies wrapped around mine, I knew this wasn’t just the end of something.

It was the beginning.

Of us.

Of everything.

Chapter 32

POV: Mia

I could hear the wind moving through the trees, the rustling of leaves in the cool night air. The scent of damp earth and wild pine filled my lungs, grounding me as I stood at the edge of the forest, my heart pounding.

I wasn’t sure if it was nerves or excitement. Maybe both.

Xander’s fingers tightened around mine, warm and steady, his presence anchoring me. “Breathe, Mia,” he murmured, his voice low, soothing. “It’s going to feel strange at first, but we’re right here with you.”

Theo was on my other side, his warmth radiating against my skin, his eyes locked onto mine with quiet reassurance. “We won’t let anything happen to you,” he said. “You’re safe.”

Safe.

I swallowed hard and nodded, though the butterflies in my stomach didn’t settle.

A few feet ahead, Liam and Vanessa stood together, their presence both regal and effortlessly wild, as if they belonged here in a way I never could. Or maybe I could. Maybe this was what I had been missing my entire life.

Liam gave me a single nod before his hands went to the hem of his shirt, peeling it off in one smooth motion. His movements were quick, practiced, like shifting was as natural to him as breathing. Before I could even blink, he dropped his pants and the change took him—his body shifting in a blur, bones reshaping, muscles reforming.

And then, in his place, stood a massive black wolf.

I sucked in a sharp breath.

I had seen them shift before, but never this close, never this intimately.

Liam’s wolf was huge, easily towering over me, his dark fur gleaming in the moonlight. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, I could still see him—Liam, the Alpha, the father of the twins. The man who had looked at me that first night with something close to recognition, even before I had understood what I was to his sons.

Then, beside him, Vanessa shifted.

Her transformation was just as seamless, her body melting into that of a smaller, sleek light brown wolf. She was beautiful, quick and agile as she trotted closer to Liam’s side.

They both turned to me, waiting.

My pulse thundered in my ears. I wanted this—I knew I did—but my body was frozen.

Xander moved first.

Still holding my hand, he took a slow step away from me, letting me go as he reached for his own clothes. He undressed just as easily as his parents had, confidence in every movement, his skin glowing under the moonlight. And then—just like that—he shifted.

I gasped softly as I saw him fully in his wolf form for the first time.

His fur was deep brown, thick and rich like warm earth, but his eyes—his eyes were the same piercing blue that had always captivated me.

And the moment his gaze met mine, something inside me stirred.

Something ancient. Something wild.

A shudder ran through me, deep in my bones. I felt… called.

Theo stepped closer, his voice low, knowing. “That’s your wolf,” he murmured. “She feels him.”

I turned to him, my breathing shaky. “I don’t know how to do this.”

“You don’t have to know.” He reached for the hem of my shirt, his touch slow, giving me time to stop him. I didn’t. I couldn’t.

Because deep down, I wanted this.

Theo helped me undress, his hands lingering on my skin for a moment before he stepped back. “Close your eyes,” he said, his voice softer now. “Feel her. She’s already there. She always has been.”

I swallowed, pressing a hand to my chest, feeling the rapid beat of my heart.

My wolf.

She was there, wasn’t she?

A part of my soul, waiting, watching, waiting.

I took a slow, deep breath.

And then I let go.

A sharp pull, a rush of heat down my spine, bones shifting, reshaping. My breath caught as my body changed—not painful, just different, like stepping into something I had never fully understood before.

And then—

I was her.

I blinked, and the world was suddenly brighter. Every scent, every sound, every sensation—stronger.

I could feel them.

Xander’s wolf stepped closer, his nose brushing against mine, his presence familiar, steady.

Theo shifted beside me, his deep brown wolf form appearing just as seamlessly, his energy crackling with something primal, something his.

And then we ran.

At first, my legs stumbled, my new form uncertain. But then, instinct took over, and I moved.

The wind rushed through my fur, the forest blurring past me as I chased after them. Liam and Vanessa ran ahead, their movements effortless, practiced. Xander and Theo flanked me, their wolves brushing against mine, their presence wrapping around me like a promise.

I had never felt so free.

So alive.

I playfully nudged Theo’s wolf, and he let out a soft growl, snapping his teeth at me before racing ahead. I chased him, laughing—except it wasn’t laughter anymore. It was a sound, something between a bark and a howl, something new and entirely me.

Xander was there too, always close, his presence like a steady force beside mine.

The forest opened into a clearing, and I stopped, my chest rising and falling with exhilaration.

I looked at them—at the wolves, my pack, my mates—and I realized something deep in my bones.

This was what I had been missing.

This was what I had been made for.

I lifted my head toward the moon, and without thinking, I howled.

And they howled with me.

The moon was full, high above the sacred clearing, bathing everything in silver light. The trees whispered in the night breeze, and the scent of wildflowers and earth filled my lungs as I stood between Theo and Xander, my heart full, my soul whole.

I had always thought of myself as ordinary. Just a girl trying to make it in the world, chasing a future that had nothing to do with fate or magic.

I had been wrong.

Because now, I was something more.

A wolf. A Luna. A mate.

Power thrummed beneath my skin, the blood of my ancestors—the Lunacasters—woven with the strength of my wolf, the two sides of me no longer separate but one.

And tonight, I was theirs.

The entire pack gathered around, the glow of lanterns and torches flickering in the night as silence fell over the crowd. A ceremony as old as time itself, binding us in a way that could never be undone.

Theo and Xander stood on either side of me, their presence a steady force, their eyes burning with something deeper than devotion—something primal, something eternal.

One by one, they stepped forward, each of them holding a small dagger engraved with the sigil of the Nightfang pack.

Theo was first.

His rough hands, calloused from years of training, held mine as he gazed into my eyes, his voice raw, unguarded.

“I have always been searching,” he said, his fingers tightening around mine. “For something to fill the space in my heart. For something to quiet the restless ache inside me. And then I found you.”

My throat closed, my breath catching.

“You are my mate,” he continued, his deep blue eyes flickering in the firelight. “My Luna. My little fox. My heart. I will fight for you, stand by you, love you until my last breath—and long after.”

His voice shook slightly, but not with fear. With certainty.

Then, he pressed the blade to his palm, slicing a shallow cut before offering it to me. Without hesitation, I took the dagger, mirroring his movements, my blood mingling with his as I laced my fingers through his.

The moment our hands touched, a spark ignited—something deeper than magic, deeper than anything I had ever known.

Then, Xander stepped forward.

His movements were slower, more measured, but when he looked at me, his mask was gone. It was just him.

“I have spent my life calculating every move, making plans, preparing for the future,” he said, his voice steady but thick with emotion. “But I never could have planned for you.”

My lips trembled as I exhaled shakily, my heart pounding.

“You are my greatest challenge, my greatest desire, my greatest gift,” he said, his fingers brushing my cheek. “And I vow to spend every day proving that I was meant to stand by your side.”

He made the same cut across his palm, offering his blood, his promise.

I took the blade again, my own blood mixing with his, binding us together in something ancient, something sacred.

Then it was my turn.

I swallowed, the weight of the moment pressing into me.

“I spent my whole life thinking I knew who I was,” I whispered, my voice barely above the wind. “But then I met you.”

I looked between them, my soul pulling in both directions, never torn, only whole.

“You didn’t just change my world,” I said, voice thick with emotion. “You are my world.”

A tear slipped down my cheek, but I didn’t look away.

“I vow to be your Luna, your mate, your equal. To stand beside you in darkness and in light, in battle and in peace. To love you not because of fate, but because I choose you. Every single day.”

The power of the words settled over us, a silent promise that fate had brought us together, but our love—our choice—was what made us unbreakable.

Then, together, we lifted our joined hands toward the sky.

A golden glow pulsed around us, magic and energy wrapping around our bodies like fire, like light, like home.

The blood bond was sealed. But the ceremony was not yet complete.

Theo’s eyes darkened, a deep hunger mixed with reverence. Xander’s fingers brushed my wrist, his touch sending a shiver down my spine.

They stepped closer.

I tilted my head, baring my neck, offering myself to them as instinct wove through me, guiding me, pulling me toward them.

Theo’s breath was warm against my skin, his lips pressing against the spot where he would mark me, whispering, mine.

Then his fangs sank in.

A sharp, intoxicating mix of pleasure and pain flooded me, a wave of heat rolling through my body as his bite sealed our bond, as his claim became permanent.

I gasped, gripping his arms as the sensation built, as his tongue flicked over the mark, soothing the sting, grounding me in him.

The moment he pulled away, Xander was there.

He was slower, more deliberate, his lips tracing my skin before he bit down, his grip on my waist possessive, his body pressed against mine.

His mark burned, just as Theo’s had, but it was a different kind of fire. Not just hunger, but devotion. A vow in the language of wolves.

I felt everything.

And then I felt them.

Their souls tangled with mine, no longer separate, no longer two halves of a whole, but three. One.

I had never felt more complete.

The howls of our pack rose into the night as I opened my eyes, breathless, trembling, the world sharper, clearer than it had ever been.

Theo and Xander gazed at me like I was their entire universe.

And I was.

Just as they were mine. Forever.