st edge. Even the wolves patrolling the outer perimeter moved with hushed steps, as though the entire Northern

through the air like sacred smoke. The elders donned their ceremonial robes of midnight velvet embroidered with silver moons. Warriors sharpened ceremonial daggers until the blades sang against whetstone

ly a narrow bed, a basin of water, and a single gown laid across the foot of the mattress: sheer white silk that would cling to every curve once the moon rose. No u

murmured excuse about final blessings. She closed the

y long," Clara whispered.

had been watching snowflakes drift past t

ce embrace. "Whatever happens tonight... remember that you are more than what the

ent of lavender and winter roses that always

yth

and Father turns on Damien... protect yourself

se. But only if you promise to fight for

throat too tigh

as quietly as she had come. The door clicked

t that fell down her back. When the sun dipped below the horizon, she slipped into the white gown. The silk whispered against her body, c

athered outside: rows of wolves in human form, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Elders stood at the front, chanting low invocations. Gideon preside

there w

ght carved every ridge of muscle, every scar that told stories of battles won. His dark hair was unbound, stirring faintly in the still

ers fel

ved. Fertility awakened. The surrogate vessel will bear the first claimin

d through the

forward. "I a

trewn ground. She could feel every eye on her, judging, measuring, dismissing. But Damie

oosen inhibition. He offered it first to Damien, who drank deeply, then to Ashley. The liquid burned down her throat, warm and sp

retreate

her jaw with his knuckles, the touch so light it made her shiver. "You are b

ing inside to taste wine and heat and surrender. Ashley moaned softly, hands rising to grip his shoulders, nails digging into hard muscle. The pack watched in reverent sile

enough to whisper again

no

He laid her down gently on the fur pelt spread across it. The silk gown rode up her legs, exposing pale skin to moonlight and

rked skin. "I will mark you here," he growled. "Wh

neath him, breat

ien groaned, low and primal, then took one peak into his mouth, sucking hard. Pleasure lanced through her, sharp and sweet. She cried out, fingers thre

Every scrape of teeth sent sparks racing down her spine to pool between he

s head, eyes bla

thighs with firm hands, exposing her completely to his gaze and the watching pack. Ashley's cheeks burned with embarrassm

me," he c

wered his head and dragged his tongue a

He did it again, firmer this time, tongue circling the swollen bud at the apex before dipping inside her. She tasted lik

to pinch and roll her nipple while the other pressed two fingers inside her, curling to stroke the sensitive spot that mad

she gasped

h to speak. "Come for me. Let

, fingers thrusting dee

er her, body clenching around his fingers, thighs shaking. He worked her through it, t

as not f

already glistening at the tip. Ashley's mouth watered at the sight. She reached for him, fingers wra

sped. "I need t

hs, the broad head nudging her entranc

you wan

she breathed

e powerful stroke, bury

e burn, filling her so completely she felt him in every inch of her body

e whispered.

began

withdrawal left her aching, each return filled her to bursting. The bond amplified every sensation,

he hit deeper, harder, the slap of skin against skin mingling with their ragged breaths and lo

she begge

right, then melted into molten pleasure as his bite triggered another climax. She c

spilling inside her with a guttural roar. Heat flooded her, pulse

ng their skin despite the cold. His tongue soothed the bite

d silent, awed o

claiming is complete. The vessel has receiv

He rose slowly, pulling Ashley up wi

ond has awakened. True mates have been revealed. I cla

led throug

twisted with f

nching. "I dare. And at dawn, I

The bite on her neck t

wide but steady. "Father...

out, seizing Clar

urmured amon

ce. "Whatever comes at dawn, know this:

slipping down her

avy and red abov

e was c

battle was on