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Seren stood alone in the middle of the now abandoned dance floor, scanning the treeline. His claws flexed as Korrin’s did when he was fighting for control. Several of his pack members approached him cautiously, only to back away when he growled.

Before she could respond, Korrin joined her, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her close against him. His eyes were fixed on Seren, his face worried.

“I think it’s time we made our exit,” he murmured into her ear, his breath warm against her skin.

She looked up at him questioningly. “Already? But?—”

“The pups need feeding,” he said, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “We’ve been gone for hours.”

Since she knew perfectly well that they’d fed the pups generously before leaving them safely ensconced in their cabin, it was just an excuse to slip away from the growing tension. His protective instincts made her smile, but she was more than happy to be alone with her mate.

“Of course,” she agreed, rising to her feet. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

The chaos behind them was growing—humans whispering nervously among themselves, Vultor moving in agitated patterns as Seren stalked towards the trees. Mayor Jacobson was attempting to restore order while casting anxious glances at the Vultor alpha.

None of it mattered. Not tonight.

Korrin swept her up into his arms without warning, cradling her against his chest as if she weighed nothing. The sudden movement made her laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Was that necessary?” she asked, though she wasn’t complaining.

His amber eyes gleamed in the darkness, a mixture of mischief and possessiveness that made her heart race. “Absolutely. It’s tradition to carry one’s mate away from the celebration.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Is this a Vultor tradition?”

“It is now,” he replied with a cocky grin that melted her heart.

As he carried her away from the clearing, the sounds of confusion faded behind them. She rested her head against his shoulder, breathing in his scent—her husband, her mate, her protector. Whatever storm was brewing with Seren and his mysterious dance partner would have to wait.

Tonight belonged to them alone.