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They were all in full formal uniform, cut from midnight-black fabrics with sharp, asymmetric tailoring and silver-edged epaulets.

Their jackets were engraved with the Signet crest: the spectral head of a glowing wolf and a skull woven together, a line of gilded fire threading through the centre.

Santi wore his cloak with an open collar and combat boots like a stylish rebellion.

Mak was the picture of elegance with each crease ironed to perfection.

In contrast, Kaal sported sleeves rolled to the elbow, his thick forearms gleaming under the lights.

Zev, Boaz, and Rigo resembled warriors who’d walked off an old world movie poster and into a gala.

Xander’s grin widened. ‘Took you long enough to get pampered and ready.’

‘We had to look better than you,’ Santi shot back, clapping him on the shoulder.

Miral’s eyes raked Savvine up and down as she approached. ‘You’re a vision. Holy void.’

Savvine gave a slow, mocking twirl. ‘I’m just trying to keep up with you.’

‘Don’t even pretend,’ Kaal rasped to Savvine, adding a wolf whistle. ‘You’ve eclipsed the stars tonight.’

Savvine laughed, then gestured to Miral. ‘Please. She’s the one stealing the air from the room.’

Miral shimmered from head to toe.

Her gown was floor-length and backless, woven from iridescent meta-fabric that wept light and color down her frame in soft, liquid gradients.

The tail pooled behind her like sequinned starlight spilled on black crystal.

She shrugged, lips curled. ‘ Sante , I can’t help being fabulous.’

Santiago pulled a tray of chilled shot glasses from a hovering server drone. ‘We toasting or what?’

Everyone grabbed one, except Miral, who grabbed hold of two.

Santi groaned. ‘She’s going to go off tonight.’

‘Too late,’ Kaal said, as Miral downed her double shots and lifted two more from an attendant.

They all laughed as Miral raised her chalice. ‘To sin, survival, and sequins.’

Their tumblers met in the center with the crisp chime of crystal.

‘To health,’ Kaal intoned.

‘To friends,’ Santi added.

‘To power reclaimed,’ said Miral, eyes gleaming.

Savvine lifted hers last, catching Xander’s eyes with a soft smile. ‘To joy, love, and kin. The rarest fuel of all.’

They drank, as one family, luminous in their shared contentment.

Later, Abby stood beside Savvine and Laleh with a flute of champagne in hand,

She tried hard not to ogle, struggling to keep her expression schooled into one approximating nonchalance.

She failed with a spectacular, dramatic sigh. ‘ Fokk , they’re hot.’

Her eyes tracked the Signet strong guard as they stalked through the crowd, a pack of giant wolves, impossibly dangerous, criminally attractive, and fully aware of it.

‘Is it just me,’ Abby murmured, ‘or do they all prowl like they’ve pulled off at least three sniper hits this morning?’

Laleh snorted into her drink. ‘You mean how Zev moves like a sin with a pulse, with that swagger? You’ve been undressing him since the moment you clapped eyes on him.’

Savvine smirked. ‘That’s just them in dress wear. Wait until they’re on a battlefield.’

‘Or horizontal on a bed,’ Abby muttered, then cleared her throat. ‘I, uh. Wow. That came out.’

‘Sure did,’ Laleh choked.

Abby opened her mouth to retort, but her attention was snatched as Zev cruised past in full Signet formal uniform.

His jet-black tunic was tailored within an inch of scandal, charcoal collar undone just enough to hint at ink, his dark honey skin and sinewed muscle.

He carried the enigma of mystery, midnight, and wicked intent.

When his eyes locked on Abby, they gleamed.

‘Abby Bianchi,’ he rasped in a velvet-laced drawl. ‘Are you just going to stand there looking like a fever dream, or will you dance with me before I combust?’

Abby’s breath caught.

He extended a hand, two fingers loose and confident.

She melted into it, glancing back at her friends, her mouth in a perfect O.

Savvine choked on her wine. Laleh bent over in hysterics.

‘Our girl’s a goner,’ Laleh chuckled, wiping tears. ‘She’s lost to lust for that delicious-looking man.’

‘She’s not coming back,’ Savvine agreed, eyes shining.

The couple moved onto the floor, where Zev led with effortless grace. Abby flowed with him, laughing as he dipped her with a showy flourish.

The tango rose around them, heady and bold, and they became the center of the gala’s swirl.

Suddenly, an arc of amethyst-tinted energy whipped around Savvine, and her heart leaped.

She smiled as every cell in her body clocked her lover, shivering at his touch, scent, and heat on the small of her back.

She tilted her head to smile up at him.

‘May I have this dance with you?’

Laleh gave her a little shove, and with a slight laugh, Savvine let him steal her away onto the floor.

As they swayed beneath the stars, Xander’s breath warmed the curve of her neck, heating her between her teasing questions.

He soon slid into a solemnity, gazing down at her with intensity. ‘I want to love you forever, Savvine. To protect, cherish, and worship you like the queen you are.’

She shivered as he drew her closer.

‘I’ll mess up sometimes. Fokk , I know I will. But I’ll never stop trying, nor showing up for you.’

Her banter faltered, her breath hitching at the passion in his rasp.

‘You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted. The only one I will want. Maybe I’ll even wife you, if you let me.’

He kissed the shell of her ear.

‘All I desire, mi reina , is to walk with you into the Wildlight and the galaxy beyond that throws at us.’

Her breath hitched as her hand slid to the side of his nape and stroked.

His voice thickened. ‘ Fokk , I love you. You’ll always be mine, sí ?’

How she loved this man. Still, she enjoyed teasing him. ‘So possessive.’

He frowned, his eyes hardening with an intense violet luminosity. ‘Say it.’

‘I’m yours. I love and adore you, baby, forever and a day.’

He growled, satisfied, then inclined his head to capture her lips in a melding, scorching kiss.

They danced, spinning beneath the stars and the golden glow of lanterns floating above the lake.

Surrounded by the notes of old world jazz, the scent of lemon and grilled sea bass, the glint of toasts being raised, and old rivalries forgotten.

For one glorious evening, their journey through the Wildlight was not about bloodlines or war.

It was about love and cherishing precious moments.

Savvine, tucked close against Xander’s chest as he led her through the crowd, sighed with happiness.

The galaxy had finally delivered all her dreams in the form of one star fated alpha.