Page 15

They say when you accept a mate bond, the Moon marks your soul before your skin.

That you'll feel it before you see it-like a rush of warmth in your blood, a pull in your chest, a stillness in your bones.

They don't tell you that it can feel like healing.

Or like peace.

Or like finally breathing.

But that's exactly what it felt like with Kael.

?

The ceremony was simple. Just us. No crowd. No ritualized chants or pack declarations.

He asked me again, softly.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Yes."

His thumb brushed the inside of my wrist-slow, gentle, grounding. "I don't need the bond to love you, Luna. But if you let me have it... I'll protect it like it's sacred."

"It already is."

And with those words, I tilted my head, exposing the soft curve of my neck. Not in submission-but in trust.

He hesitated.

Then lowered his mouth.

His teeth grazed my skin-not cruel, not possessive. Just enough to make the mark take. A bright, burning sting bloomed through my body-but it was nothing compared to the glow that followed.

The warmth spread outward like a sunrise.

And when I opened my eyes, Kael was glowing too.

Not literally-but everything about him looked brighter.

More mine.

I placed my hand over the new mark-just beneath my collarbone. It shimmered silver in the moonlight, shaped like a crescent and flame intertwined.

Kael traced it with his fingers.

"Perfect," he whispered.

Not because I was.

But because this-us-finally felt like belonging.

?

That night, we lay beneath the stars, our wolves curled beside each other, breath syncing in the hush of midnight.

"I never thought I'd feel this again," I admitted, head resting on his chest.

He kissed the top of my head. "You weren't supposed to just feel it."

I looked up. "Then what?"

"You were supposed to choose it."

And I had.

Not because of destiny.

But because I was strong enough now to know the difference between a bond that breaks you...

And one that makes you whole.