“You’ve always belonged,” he says, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I was just too blind to see it before.”
As I drift off to sleep, I think about how far we’ve come. From rejected mate to pack leader, from outcast to bridge-builder.The path ahead won’t be easy, but with Kieran by my side and our pack behind us, I know we can face whatever challenges tomorrow brings.
Together, we’re creating something new. Something better. A pack where everyone belongs, where differences are celebrated instead of feared, where strength comes in many forms.
It’s more than I ever dreamed possible.
And this is only the beginning.
Chapter 45
Kieran
The message from Pack Sapphire arrives at dawn, carried by a messenger wolf who looks like he hasn’t slept in days. More fae sightings near their borders, more whispers of dark magic and broken bargains, more madness hitting those who bargain with the fae. My father’s betrayal has left ripples that spread far beyond Pack Jade’s borders, and our fight isn’t over yet. There are other high fae out there leading groups into battle, doing what they can to sow division and destroy us from the inside.
“They’re testing our alliances,” Aurora says, reading over my shoulder. Through our bond, I feel her sharp mind working through the implications. “Seeing which packs will stand together and which they can pick off alone.”
She’s right, of course. My mate’s political instincts have proven as keen as her combat skills. Setting the message aside, I pull her into my arms, breathing in her sweet scent of lilac and honey, a smell that goes straight through me. “Then we’ll show them exactly how strong those alliances can be.”
The morning passes in a flurry of activity as we prepare to receive representatives from neighboring packs. I watch with pride as Aurora organizes everything, her natural leadership showing in every detail. She’s assigned returned exiles to handlehospitality, giving them a chance to prove their worth to the pack while showcasing their skills and encouraging them to see pack members as individuals instead of a whole.
Through our bond, I feel her satisfaction as the plan comes together. She’s done more to heal our pack’s divisions in a few days than my father managed in years of heavy-handed rule.
“Stop staring at me like that,” she says without looking up from her notes. “I can feel your smugness through the bond.”
“Can’t help it.” I drop a kiss on her temple, grinning at her mock irritation. “I love watching you work. If having a mate like this makes me smug, well, what else would I be?”
Before she can respond, Dana appears in the doorway. “They’re here. All of them.”
The great hall fills quickly with pack representatives. I recognize many faces: Pack Diamond’s new alpha, still finding his footing after the fae attacks. Pack Sapphire’s seasoned warriors, their scars telling stories of recent battles. Even Pack Amethyst sent envoys, despite their own struggles with rebuilding.
Taking my place at the head of the hall, I’m acutely aware of all the eyes on me. They’re looking for weakness, for signs that Pack Jade’s new leadership can be trusted after my father’s betrayal. But I’m not alone anymore.
Aurora stands beside me, her presence steady and strong through our bond. She’s wearing cold iron jewelry that marks her as a fae hunter, and her ash-blonde hair is pulled back to show off our mating mark. The sight of it still fills me with pride, knowing that I’m worthy of her, chosen by her.
“Thank you all for coming,” I begin, letting my voice carry through the crowd, lacing it with authority. “We face a threat that no pack can handle alone, which is why we don’t plan on going it solo. The fae are getting bolder every single day, testing our borders, seeking weaknesses to exploit.”
Murmurs of agreement ripple through the crowd. Through our bond, I feel Aurora’s quiet support as I continue.
“Pack Jade offers its full support to any pack facing fae incursion. My mate’s unique abilities, a bite from Pack Onyx shifter lines that is venomous to the fae,” I gesture to Aurora, watching their eyes widen at the mention of her venomous bite, “give us an advantage few others possess. But more than that, we offer our knowledge, our resources, and our commitment to standing together against this threat.”
“Pretty words,” Pack Diamond’s alpha says, although his tone is more thoughtful than dismissive. “But can we trust them? After what your father did?”
“You can trust that I am not my father and never have been.” The words come easily now, weighted with the truth of my convictions. “And you can trust that we understand better than most what will happen if the fae overtake us. We almost lost our entire pack to them, and I’ve traveled across the territories, seeing with my own eyes what the fae can do.”
Aurora steps forward then, her voice clear and confident. “We’ve all suffered losses to the fae. All felt the touch of their madness, their bargains, their tricks. But together, we’re stronger than they expect. Through unity, we can protect ourselves from them.”
Through our bond, I feel her drawing on her own experiences—the pain of rejection, the strength found in survival, the power of acceptance. Her words carry weight because she’s lived them.
“Pack Jade offers more than just military alliance,” she continues. “We offer a chance to share knowledge, to learn from each other’s strengths and teach each other what we know. My own journey has taught me that different isn’t weak—it’s an advantage our enemies won’t expect, especially since they’re so bad at working together.”
I watch the other packs’ reactions with interest. Some nod in agreement, while others look thoughtful. Through the pack bonds, I sense a shift in the energy of the room.
“And what exactly are you proposing?” Pack Sapphire’s lead warrior asks.
“A formal alliance,” I answer. “Not just between alphas, but between packs. Shared training, shared resources, shared intelligence about fae movements and activities.” Looking around the room, I add, “The old ways of isolation and competition nearly destroyed us all. It’s time for something new.”
The tension in the great hall is thick enough to cut with a cold iron blade as the pack representatives consider our proposal. I can feel Aurora’s steady presence through our bond, her quiet confidence bolstering my own. She’s come so far from the outcast shifter who couldn’t shift—now she stands as my equal, commanding respect not through dominance but through wisdom and strength.
