“Just thinking about how far we’ve come.” I catch her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “And how grateful I am that you gave me a second chance.”
Her smile is soft but knowing. “We’ve both changed. Grown stronger by accepting who we are.”
She’s right, of course. The broken boy who let his father’s toxic influence push away his mate is gone, replaced by someone who finally understands what real strength looks like. And the outcast shifter who couldn’t shift has become a leader in her own right, teaching us all that strength comes in accepting you’re different from others.
Through our bond, I feel her love and acceptance wash over me. It still amazes me sometimes, how complete this connection feels. How right.
“Come on,” she says, tugging my hand. “We have work to do.”
Chapter 46
Aurora
From my vantage point on the balcony of Pack Jade’s main hall, I can smell the fae coming before anyone else sees them. Pine and cinnamon mingles with a sickly-sweet rot that burns my nose and makes my newly awakened wolf bristle. From beside me, Kieran stiffens, his own enhanced senses picking up the same scent.
“They’re testing us just like you said,” he says grimly, reaching for my hand. Through our bond, I feel his concern warring with determination. “Seeing what our weaknesses and strengths are.”
I squeeze his fingers, drawing strength from our connection. “Then let’s show them exactly how strong we are now.”
We’ve been expecting this ever since the alliance meeting. The fae were never going to let such a direct challenge to their power go unanswered. Still, as the first alarms ring out across pack lands—wolves howling warnings that are quickly picked up and passed along in harmonious voices—my heart races with a mix of fear and anticipation.
This isn’t like the last time the fae attacked, when Cade’s betrayal left us vulnerable and divided. This time we’re ready. United, and stronger for it.
Kieran and I share one heated look before springing into action. He shifts into his massive bronze wolf form while I race down the stairs, already barking orders at the pack members around me. The response is immediate and coordinated, just like we’ve trained for, messengers shifting and racing in every direction to carry my orders.
Warriors move into defensive positions. Those with cold iron weapons form a perimeter, while others help evacuate the vulnerable to safe houses we’ve prepared. Dana appears at my side, tossing me a belt of cold iron daggers.
“Just like old times,” she says with a fierce grin. “Except now you’ve got teeth of your own.”
She’s right. The white wolf inside me rises eagerly to the surface, ready to be unleashed. But not yet. First, we need to see what we’re dealing with.
The fae emerge from the shadows like nightmares made flesh. Some beautiful, some monstrous, all of them dangerous. At their head is a tall figure I recognize—one of Lord Hule’s lieutenants, her crystalline skin catching the fading sunlight.
“Pack Jade,” she calls out, voice like breaking glass, hair pale and almost see-through. “We come seeking what is ours, and vengeance for the lives you took from us.”
“Nothing here belongs to you,” I respond clearly, stepping forward. Kieran’s bronze wolf moves to flank me, a low growl rumbling in his chest, so strong it vibrates against my leg. “This land, these people—they’re under our protection. Anyone who doubts that will die just as Lord Hule did.”
The fae lieutenant’s laughter sends chills down my spine. “Protection? From what threat? We offer power, little wolf. Ask your former alpha how sweet our bargains can be.”
Through our bond, I feel Kieran’s anger spike at the mention of his father. But we’ve learned from the past. Neither of us rises to the bait.
Instead, I smile, showing just a hint of fang. “Last chance to leave peacefully. Otherwise, you’ll find out exactly how much we’ve learned about fighting your kind.”
The fae’s expression twists with rage. She raises her hands, violet magic crackling between her fingers—and all hell breaks loose.
The battle that follows is unlike anything Pack Jade has seen before. The fae come at us with everything they have, but we’re ready. Months of training and preparation pay off as our forces move in perfect coordination.
I shift into my white wolf form, leading a contingent straight for their strongest leaders, overwhelmingly high fae. My venomous bite is our secret weapon, and they know it. The fear in their eyes as I approach is deeply satisfying.
Through our bond, I track Kieran’s movements as he coordinates our defenses. His strategic mind shines as he anticipates the fae’s moves, countering their tricks before they can take hold. Together, we’re an unstoppable force, made to defeat them.
A particularly nasty fae, all shadows and thorns, tries to separate me from my group. But before they can trap me, Dana is there with a cold iron blade, cursing creatively as she takes them down.
“Left your flank open,” she shouts over the chaos.
I yip at her in thanks before diving back into the fray. My white fur is streaked with black ichor as I tear through their ranks, snapping and biting.
The battle reaches its peak when the lieutenant unleashes a massive spell, trying to corrupt our pack bonds like they did during Cade’s betrayal. But this time, we’re prepared.
