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When Dair pierces her skin, our pack will finally be tied together by a pack bond. It’s a metaphysical connection similar to what Raine and I have, but thanks to the bond mark Dair bit into my forearm during rut, once he bites Raine, I’ll be able to feel him the way I can feel her. A full-circle connection, like a full moon.

“I’m ready,” she responds. “This is all I’ve ever wanted. Alphas that I chose and who picked me right back.”

Me too.

I remember thinking that Raine’s eyes are the green of the Earth while Dair’s are the blue water that feeds her. I had foolishly wondered where that left me, but now I see that mine are the brown of the soil that supports and absorbs them.

I press a kiss to the top of her head, cuddling her close to my body. “Love you, baby.”

Her scent sweetens as she replies, “Love you too.”

Raine and I stand on the porch watching the sunset while I freely touch her in all the ways I never thought I’d be allowed.

[ 63 ]

DAIR

Cascades Territory, Northern Pacific

My wolf tilts his head back in a jubilant howl the moment our paws cross into our territory. Answering howls echo through the trees as my people celebrate our return. Feeling my land under my claws is what I’ve been craving since the moment I left, but it feels even more euphoric to be back with my pack.

Ren leads our group with Raine, and Tore walks beside them, helping haul everyone’s belongings. My wolf trots behind with Ferris’s wolf on one side and Vale’s on the other. Wolves from my territory join our procession as we walk toward my cabin. Ferris raises his lips to snarl at folks that get too close for his comfort. I chuff at him to convey my amusement, and to let him know that they are just curious.

It’s not every day that your territory’s Alpha returns from across the continent with three strangers in tow.

Raine gasps as we break through the forest into the clearing where my cabin rests. It’s a rustic A-frame beauty tucked into the wildness of the forest all around it. The wood used to build it came from the very trees sheltering us, making it part of my land as much as any plant. Lush ferns circle the foundation, not yet dormant from the changing weather of the incoming winter, making the whole clearing look like something from a storybook.

“Dair,” she whispers, “it’s perfect.”

I’ve thought about this moment so much since meeting Raine. What will she think of my den? Will she like the furs I’ve collected for her nest? How will she transform the space into our perfect home? She looks over her shoulder at me, green eyes twinkling like sunlight over a lake, and smiles. My wolf purrs, pleased to see her happy after all the stress and heartache of the past several weeks.

Ferris’s wolf brushes up against my side in a very deliberate scent-mark that smells like contentment and male satisfaction, and I playfully nip at him. At our antics, Raine looks over her shoulder again and purrs, “Boys, be good alphas.” Her sultry voice does nothing but light my blood on fire and judging by the spicy tea wafting from Ferris’s wolf, I’d wager he’s currently in the same awkward position of trying to control his arousal.

Now in front of my cabin, my wolf jumps onto the front porch, and I take back my skin, quickly donning a pair of pants from the wooden chest full of extras I keep on the deck. Tore stays at the bottom, turning to face the gathered crowd, and Vale’s wolf settles in next to him, leaning close to hide her face in his body. Ren gives me a quick salute, then his eyes fill with shadows as they shift toward Tore. He says nothing before stalking off in the direction of the home he shares with his father. I’m sure we’ll see very little of him until he’s ready to resurface from his research, but I remind myself to make time to thank him for all of his help.

I motion for Ferris’s wolf and Raine to join me on the porch, and only after they’ve taken their places by my side do I address my clan.

“I can’t tell you how good it feels to be back,” I begin. “I think I can officially say I’ve traveled enough for a lifetime,” I joke. “The Lunar Mother will likely call for an all-clans meeting in the next few days to discuss everything in detail, but for now I can tell you that the alliance with the Midlands was successful.”

At this announcement, many of the wolves and shifters howl their excitement while the humans whistle and clap. After they settle down, I continue, “I also wanted to introduce you all to my true mate, Raine.” I take her hand in mine and raise it to my mouth for a gentle kiss on her scent gland, causing her rosy complexion to flush with nerves.

Then I gesture toward Ferris’s wolf, looking fearsome and strong. “And this is my packmate, Ferris, who is new to shifting, so please be patient with him while Tore and I help him adjust to this new chapter in his life.”

My clan claps and hollers, excited for me and what it means for all of us that I found my true mate. I can see the hopeful gleam in the eyes of many wolves as they watch me and my pack. Hopefully, as the alliance matures, there will be more cross-community migration, offering more opportunities for folks to find their matches, true mate or not.

“In the coming days, my omega will need time to settle in and perfect her nest so I will be indisposed. In fact,” I say, flashing my mate a smirk full of fang, “I won’t be exiting this cabin until my mark is on her lovely neck.” Then, I scoop her over my shoulder and open the door to my cabin, taking her inside to the sounds of cheers and howls.

Ferris shifts and closes the door behind us as I carry a wiggling Raine through the main room toward the nest. I feel the heat of Ferris’s skin behind me, naked and radiating feral excitement at what comes next. I know that I will need to meet with the officers I left in charge after leaving with my second and third; I know there will be questions and things that I need to attend to, but right now, all I can think about is getting my pack into my den. Tore can tide them over until Raine has been bonded.

“Dair!” Raine gasps, exasperated. “I cannot believe you said that in front of the entire group!”

“Said what, omega? That I can’t function until my teeth have pierced your lovely neck?”

“Yes!” she growls, pounding her fists on my back.

“Baby, you’ve just joined a wolf clan. You’re lucky I didn’t bend you over the rail of the deck and mount you for everyone to see. To make sure that they know you’re mine.”

Ferris groans as I kick open the nest door and place Raine back on her feet. I grip her chin and rasp, “I can’t even stand the idea of you walking through my territory, being around other wolves, or gods forbid, touching them, until I’ve made it clear that you are claimed.”