Page 30 of When Two Worlds Collide (Fated Mates, Stubborn Hearts #1)

EMBER

D awn light peeks through the tent walls, painting Zane’s sleeping form in shades of gold and shadow. I’ve been awake for an hour, drafting and redrafting the letter that will sever my ties to Haven’s Heart. My formal resignation. The words that will make official what my heart decided days ago.

Zane shifts, a soft groan escaping as wounds pull tight. The challenge left him battered—face swollen, ribs wrapped, claw marks painting abstract patterns across his chest. Through our incomplete bond, I feel the echo of his pain, dulled but persistent.

“Stop thinking so loud,” he murmurs without opening his eyes.

“Stop being so injured,” I counter, but move closer, careful not to jostle him.

His arm snakes around my waist, pulling me against his less damaged side. “The letter?”

“Finished.” I trace a finger along an unbandaged section of his chest. “Once I send it, there’s no going back.”

“There never was.” He finally opens his eyes—the silver muted with exhaustion but still piercing. “Not from the moment you stood between cubs and bears.”

“That was instinct.”

“No.” His hand finds my face, thumb brushing my cheekbone. “That was a choice. Every time, you’ve chosen to bridge worlds rather than defend just one.”

Outside, the camp stirs to life. Quieter than before—the absence of Marcus and the exiled wolves leaves gaps in the morning sounds. But there’s something else too. A tentative unity among those who remained.

“I should deliver this myself,” I say, holding up the sealed letter. “Face whatever consequences?—”

“We deliver it.” Zane pushes himself upright, ignoring my protests. “You’re Shadow Wolf now. You don’t face Haven’s Heart alone.”

“You can barely walk.”

“Then I’ll lean on my mate.” He stands, swaying slightly. “Unless you’re ashamed to be seen with?—”

I kiss him to shut him up. When we part, he’s smiling despite split lips.

“Get dressed,” I order. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing it properly.”

An hour later, we approach Haven’s Heart’s boundary with six Shadow Wolf escorts. Zane moves stiffly but with determined dignity. I wear pack leathers marked with my new status—no longer ambassador but not quite traditional pack either. Something new.

Kade waits at the border.

My brother stands alone, arms crossed, his expression unreadable as we approach. I haven’t seen him since before the claiming, before everything changed. His gold-flecked eyes—mirror to mine—take in my appearance, Zane’s proximity, the wolf escorts maintaining respectful distance .

“Sister,” he says simply.

“Kade.” I step forward, letter extended. “My formal resignation from Haven’s Heart diplomatic corps.”

He doesn’t take it immediately. “You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

“Even knowing what you’re giving up? Your position, your standing, the work you’ve spent years building?”

Heat prickles along my spine. “I’m not giving up the work. I’m changing how I do it.”

Kade’s gaze shifts to Zane. “And you’ll protect her? Support her? Even when your pack questions her presence?”

“She doesn’t need my protection,” Zane replies evenly. “She’s proven capable of protecting herself and others. As for support,” He takes my hand, fingers interlacing with mine. “She has it. Always.”

Something in Kade’s expression softens fractionally. He takes the letter, tucking it inside his jacket. “The council won’t accept this quietly. There will be those who call you a traitor.”

“Let them.”

“Ember—”

“I’ve made my choice, Kade.” I squeeze Zane’s hand. “I can do more good building bridges than defending walls.”

My brother sighs, suddenly looking older. “I know. I’ve known since you first spoke of him with that look in your eyes.” He steps closer, voice dropping. “Which is why I brought this.”

He produces a second sealed document. I recognize the council seal, but the wax is gold, reserved for special appointments.

“What is this?”

“Your new position, if you want it.” A small smile plays at his lips. “Official Liaison between emerging territories and established communities. Full diplomatic immunity. Authority to negotiate on behalf of both sides.”

I stare at the document. “The council approved this?”

“Not exactly. But Elena and I have enough support to make it stick. Assuming you can deliver results.”

“She can,” Zane says before I can respond. “She already has. The treaty holds. River’s Edge survived because wild and civilized fought together.”

Kade nods slowly. “So I heard. Along with other interesting news. Three more wild clans have emerged in the eastern territories. The Frost Lynx are already raiding supply lines.”

My heart sinks. More conflict. More violence.

“But,” Kade continues, “Ridge Stormcrow sent an emissary yesterday. Apparently, witnessing a fire panther mated to a wolf alpha has... intrigued him. He’s willing to discuss boundaries.”

“That’s not possible,” Zane says flatly. “Stormcrow doesn’t negotiate.”

“He does when he realizes the world has changed.” Kade’s expression turns serious. “The old ways are ending. The barriers are gone. We either find new ways to coexist or we all burn.”

I take the document, breaking the seal. The appointment is everything Kade promised—authority to work between worlds, to build what hasn’t existed before.

“There’s a condition,” Kade adds. “You operate from neutral territory. Not Haven’s Heart, not Shadow Wolf land. Somewhere between.”

“The border settlements,” I realize. “We establish there.”

“If they’ll have you.”

I look at Zane, seeing my own thoughts reflected in his eyes. It’s perfect. Dangerous and difficult, and exactly what we need.

“We accept,” I say.

Kade’s smile turns genuine. “Then I believe congratulations are in order. For your bonding and your new position.” His expression shifts. “Though I’m told the bonding remains... incomplete?”

Heat floods my cheeks. “We were interrupted.”

“So I gathered.” He glances at Zane with something like sympathy. “The strain must be considerable.”

“We manage,” Zane says tightly.

“See that you complete it soon,” Kade warns. “An incomplete bond between two people in your positions could be seen as weakness.”

After he leaves, we return to Shadow Wolf territory in thoughtful silence. The new appointment changes everything—it gives us legitimacy neither side can easily dismiss.

The pack gathers as we enter camp, their energy different from yesterday’s hostility. Word has spread about the challenge, about those who left, about what Zane endured to keep his position.

Elder Riva approaches, leaning heavily on her walking stick. “Alpha. We’ve prepared the ceremony grounds.”

I glance at Zane, confused. “Ceremony?”

“You defended our pack,” she explains. “Bled with us. Fought for cubs not your own. By ancient law, you’ve earned the right of recognition.”

“But the bond isn’t complete?—”

“Which is why we do this now.” Her eyes are kind but firm. “The pack must accept you before the final night. Must welcome what you represent.”

They lead us to a grove where the entire remaining pack waits. Maybe thirty wolves now, so few compared to what they were. But every face shows resolve rather than resentment.

“Ember Steelclaw,” Elder Riva intones. “You stand before the Shadow Wolf clan as mate to our alpha. Do you accept the bonds of the pack? Will you hunt with us, fight for us, raise the next generation to honor both wild ways and new wisdom?”

The formal words carry the weight of centuries. I feel Zane’s hand in mine, steady despite everything.

“I accept,” I say clearly. “I will be both what I was and what I’m becoming. Bridge between worlds. Protector of all who need protection.”

One by one, pack members approach. Each offers a small token—a feather, a carved stone, a piece of worked leather. Traditional welcomes for a new alpha’s mate.

When young Mira, barely past her first shift, offers me a clay wolf she made, tears blur my vision. “For the fire lady who saved us,” she whispers.

By the ceremony’s end, I hold an armful of gifts and a heart full of belonging I never expected to find.

“Tonight,” Zane murmurs as we return to his tent. “We complete what was interrupted.”

“Yes.” I set down the gifts carefully, each one precious. “No more delays. No more interruptions.”

A commotion outside cuts through the moment. We emerge to find a runner—one of our border scouts—gasping for breath.

“Alpha,” she pants. “Message from River’s Edge. The Frost Lynx clan... they’re moving toward the northern settlements. The settlers beg for Shadow Wolf protection.”

I meet Zane’s eyes, seeing my own realization reflected there. This is how it begins. Not with grand proclamations but with small choices. We help because we can. We protect because someone must.

“Send ten warriors,” Zane commands. “Volunteers only. Make it clear—we defend all shifters now.”

As the scout runs off, I lean into him. “The other packs won’t understand.”

“Then we’ll show them.” He pulls me closer. “After tonight. After we’re complete.”

The sun tracks across the sky as we prepare. Messages fly between territories. Warriors volunteer for settlement defense. I draft initial contact letters for the Frost Lynx, the Red Claws, and even Ridge Stormcrow.

But beneath it all runs awareness of what comes. The final night. The completion that will either stabilize us or break us entirely.

As twilight falls, Zane takes my hand. “Ready?”

I think of everything I’ve given up—my position, my old life, the simple clarity of defending only civilized ways. Then I think of what I’ve gained—purpose that transcends boundaries, a mate who challenges and supports me, a future neither fully wild nor civilized but stronger for being both.

“Yes,” I tell him. “I’m ready.”