Chapter 155: Damien's POV

The next morning, I find my father in his study.

He's reviewing reports, casualty lists, damage assessments, reconstruction plans. The work of an Alpha never stops, even after winning a war.

"Damien," he says, looking up. "I was wondering when you'd come."

"Needed to check on the heirs first," I say, settling into the chair across from his desk. "Cassian especially."

"How is he?"

"Surviving. Barely, but he'll heal."

My father nods, something like approval in his expression. "You're a good friend to him. A good leader to all of them. I'm... proud of what you've become."

The words hit harder than I expect. My father isn't prone to emotional declarations.

"Thank you," I manage.

"The mating ceremony," he continues, changing the subject to something safer. "Your mother has it planned down to the last flower. It's going to be spectacular and expensive."

"I figured."

"But necessary," he adds. "The pack needs to see stability. Continuity. A future worth fighting for. You and Riley represent that."

He sets down his papers and looks at me directly.

"I owe you an apology," he says, and I nearly fall out of my chair.

"I was harsh on Riley when she first arrived. Dismissive. Cruel, even. I saw only what she wasn't… pedigreed, polished, from a founding family."

"And now?" I ask.

"Now I see what she is. Strong. Brave. Loyal. Everything a Luna should be." He pauses. "Everything your mother is. I should have recognized it sooner."

"You recognized it when it mattered," I say. "At the battle. When you told us to prioritize her survival over Silverwood's. That meant more than you know."

"Good," he says gruffly. "Because in three days, she becomes official family, and the Blackthorns protect family."

There's a knock at the door, and my mother enters with Vivienne.

"Are you two having a moment?" Selena asks, her pale blue eyes gleaming with amusement. "Should we come back?"

"No," my father says. "We're done. Mostly."

Vivienne rushes over and hugs me, despite being too old for such displays.

"You saved me," she says into my shoulder. "At the quarry. You and Riley. You saved all of us."

Through pack bonds, I feel her trauma from the kidnapping. The fear. The helplessness, but also her gratitude.

"Riley saved you," I correct. "I just helped."

"You both did," Vivienne says, pulling back. "And I'm never going to forget it."

She looks at our parents, something shifting in her expression.

"I want to train," she says. "Properly. Not just basic defense. I want to be able to fight. To protect myself and others. So I'm never that helpless again."

My father considers her carefully. "You're still young for that, you don't need...."

"I’m almost the same age as Riley and old enough to be kidnapped," Vivienne counters.

"Old enough to be used as bait. Old enough to watch people fight for me. I want to learn to fight too."

"She has a point," my mother says, surprising us all. "The world is dangerous. Our daughter should know how to navigate it."

My father looks like he wants to argue, but he sees the determination in Vivienne's eyes, the same stubbornness he sees in me and my mother.

"Fine," he says. "But you train with Jaxon. He's the best combat instructor we have."

Vivienne's face lights up with triumph.

"Thank you!"

As she bounces excitedly, my mother settles beside my father, her hand finding his.

"Our children are growing up," she says softly. "Fighting wars. Taking mates, becoming who they're meant to be."

"Too fast," my father mutters, but I see pride in his eyes.

"Damien," my mother says, turning to me. "The ceremony preparations are nearly complete. But there's one thing we haven't discussed."

"What's that?"

"Your vows. What you'll say to Riley when you officially claim her as your mate."

"I don't know," I admit. "Everything I want to say feels insufficient. How do you put into words what someone means to you? How they've changed you? How you'd face any enemy, any challenge, any darkness to keep them safe?"

My mother smiles. "You just did."

"That's not ceremony language," I protest.

"Who says ceremony language has to be formal?" Selena asks. "The most powerful vows are the honest ones. The ones that come from the heart, not from tradition."

She exchanges a look with my father, and I see their own bond there. Decades strong. Tested by time and hardship and their own struggles.

"When your father and I mated," Selena continues, "he was supposed to recite the traditional vows. Ancient words passed down for generations.

Instead, he threw away the script and spoke from his heart. It was messy. Imperfect, and absolutely perfect."

"I told her she was more important than any tradition," my father says gruffly. "That I'd burn the world before I let anyone take her from me. The Elders were scandalized."

"And I loved every word," Selena finishes.

"So speak from your heart," my mother advises. "Tell Riley what she means to you. The ceremony is just structure. The words are what matter."

"What if I mess it up?" I ask.

"Then you mess it up together," Vivienne says. "That's what mates do, right? Face everything together? Even embarrassing ceremony moments?"

Through the bond, I feel Riley's laughter.

She's not wrong, Riley sends. We've faced Chasm entities and conspiracies. We can handle a ceremony.

Even if I say something stupid? I send back.

Especially then. I expect at least three stupid things. Keeps it interesting.

My family watches me smile at nothing, clearly sensing I'm communicating through the bond.

"She's listening, isn't she?" Vivienne asks.

"Always," I say. "That's what the bond does. Keeps us connected."

"It's beautiful," Selena says. "And rare. Most bonds don't form this strong this fast. You and Riley have something special."

"I know," I say.

We spend the rest of the afternoon together. My father discussing Alpha responsibilities I'll inherit.

My mother is reviewing ceremony details I pretend to care about. Vivienne asking a thousand questions about bonding and Luna duties and whether Riley will teach her to use Luna power.

It's normal. Peaceful. Exactly what we need after the chaos, and as the sun sets, as my family surrounds me, I think about how far we've all come.

My father, learning to value character over bloodline. My mother, accepting Riley despite initial prejudice.

Vivienne, finding strength in vulnerability, and me, learning that being Alpha isn't about domination and control. It's about service. Protection. Leading with heart as well as strength.

In three days, she'll stand beside me officially.

In three days, everyone will see what I've known all along.

That Riley Walker is exactly where she belongs, and I can't wait to tell the world.