Chapter 94,
FREYA’S POV
I wake up to sunlight and the weight of Adrian’s arm around my waist. The mating mark on my neck tingles. Fresh. New. Permanent. A constant reminder that we’re bonded now. Officially. Completely. Forever.
The bond itself is different. Stronger. More vivid. I can feel him even though he’s still asleep. Feel his contentment. His peace. His love washing through the connection between us.
It’s overwhelming. Beautiful. Terrifying. Everything I wanted. Everything I feared. Everything we are now.
He stirs. Opens his eyes. Sees me watching him. Smiles. “Morning. How do you feel?”
“Different. The bond is so much stronger. I can feel everything you’re feeling. It’s…” I search for words. “Intense.”
“It is. Gets easier to filter after a while. To separate your emotions from mine. To maintain your own identity while being connected.” He traces the mark on my neck. “But right now it’s new. Raw. Overwhelming. Give it time.”
“Do you regret it?” The question slips out before I can stop it. “Marking me. Completing the bond. Now you’re stuck with me. Forever. No escape.”
“Never.” He pulls me closer. “I’ve waited two hundred years for this. For you. For us. Why would I regret finally getting everything I’ve ever wanted?”
“Because I’m difficult. Challenging. Demanding. I won’t make being Alpha easy. Won’t just submit and follow. Won’t be the traditional Luna who stays quiet and supportive in the background.”
“Good. I don’t want traditional. I want you. Exactly as you are. Challenging me. Demanding respect. Refusing to be anything less than my equal.” He kisses my forehead. “That’s what I signed up for. That’s what I’m choosing. Every day. Forever.”
A knock on the door interrupts us. Marcus’s voice. “Sorry to disturb but we have a situation. High Council is here. Demanding an audience. They heard about Ashers excape. About the traditional challenge. About everything. They want explanations.”
My blood runs cold. The Council. Already. I’d hoped we’d have more time. More space to figure out how to handle them. How to defend ourselves. How to protect our bond from their interference.
Adrian sits up. “Tell them we’ll be down in thirty minutes. And Marcus? Assemble the inner circle. We’re presenting a united front. No division. No weakness. They see us strong. Together. Unbreakable.”
“Got it.” Marcus’s footsteps fade.
I start to get up. Adrian stops me. “Hey. It’s going to be okay. We race them together. As mates. As equals As a team. They can’t
separate us anymore. The bond is complete. We’re official, They have to accept it.”
“Or they can demand you reject me. Declare the bond void. Force us apart.” Fear bleeds through. “They have power Adrian. More power than we do. What if they..”
“Then we fight. We refuse. We stand together and dare them to try.” He cups my face. “I’m not losing you. Not to the Council. Not to anyone. That’s not negotiable. Not anymore. Not ever.”
I want to believe him. Want to trust that love and determination are enough. But I know the Council. Know their power. Know they don’t accept defiance. Don’t allow challenges to their authority. Don’t let wolves get away with breaking their laws.
But I also know I’m not giving up without a fight. Not after everything. Not after choosing him. Not after finally becoming his mate. His equal. His partner.
“Then let’s get ready. Let’s face them. Let’s show them we’re not afraid.” I stand. “And Adrian? Whatever they say. Whatever they demand. Whatever they threaten. I’m staying. I’m not leaving you. Not for anything.”
“Good. Because I’m not letting you leave. Not for the Council. Not for safety. Not for anything.” He kisses me. Quick. Fierce.”
We’re in this together. Forever. No matter what comes.”
Thirty minutes later we enter the main hall. The High Council is already there. All five of them. Elder Nathaniel in the center. Looking even more disapproving than usual.
The inner circle is assembled. Marcus. Clara. Chief Winters. Dr. Chen. Kelvin. All standing together. United. Ready to defend their Alphas. Their pack. Their family.
Adrian and I enter together. Hand in hand. The mating mark visible on my neck. A clear declaration. A statement. A challenge to anyone who thinks they can separate us.

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