Chapter 96: Bound Fates

Derek's POV

It was very exciting in the air.

Redwater was buzzing like a beehive on fire. Warriors worked on sharpening their swords while young wolves ran through the village carrying stones that had been polished and white fabrics. The air smelt like wildflowers that the pack's kids had just picked. It was not like any other day.

It was not war today. It was not about having enemies. It was not about staying alive.

It was about love.

It was about Claire.

I stood in front of the stones used for ceremonies. My heart was beating faster than it ever did in battle. I was about to die. Faced traitors. Led warriors into darkness and came back soaked in blood. But this… this was different. This was the first time I would bind myself to someone not with a promise of protection, but with a vow of love.

A formal bonding ceremony.

Sacred. Permanent. Eternal.

The Lunar Council had granted us their blessing. So had Redwater and the remnants of the Midnight Moon refugees who now called this place home. Claire and I had worked hard to unite these packs, to bring peace and strength to a broken land. And this—our bond—was meant to seal that.

But I couldn’t shake the feeling something was coming.

Not the usual fear of doubt or nerves. Something darker.

How the Crescent Mark showed up again last week. I still had Claire's mother's pendant locked away in my drawer. It was a painful reminder that our enemies were still after us.

I would not let that ruin this moment, though.

I changed the cuffs on my dark grey ceremonial tunic that had silver trim around the edges. Claire would put on white. She seemed light all the time.

Rowan, my Beta, came up next to me. He asked in a low voice, "Are you ready?"

I said yes. "Okay." As ready as I’ll ever be.”

He chuckled. "That sounds like you are ready to fight."

I looked into his eyes. "Yes, I am in some ways."

The ritual to bond was based on old magic. There were words, blood, and the last run at night under the moonlight. It would be impossible to break the bond if the spirits agreed to it. If not, that had happened just once in the last 100 years.

Not a soul talked about it.

It started to drum. At first, it was slow, but then it became steady, like a heartbeat. Claire would be there soon.

The pack began to gather in a circle, their eyes shining with excitement. There were kids sitting on their parents' laps. The older people stood together in quiet respect. Sophia walked up from behind, her face calm but her eyes alert.

The crowd then split up.

Claire came into view.

Then everything stopped.

The white dress she wore flowed like the wind. She had small silver charms glinting in her curls and half-braid her hair. Around her, a soft glow made her look like the moon was kissing her skin.

My heart was shaking.

While she walked, she kept her eyes on me the whole time. As soon as she stood in front of me, her hand fell into mine, and everything else went away.

I said in a low voice, "I was beginning to think you might run."

She replied in a whisper, "Not a chance." "I want to be here."

Over time, the old Alpha blade had lost its sharp edge, but its meaning was still clear as we stood in front of the stone altar. Elder Myra stepped forward as the officiant.

"Today," she began, "we see a holy bond." Beta Claire Hale and Alpha Derek Callahan are two hearts that have joined together voluntarily.

The way she said our names made my chest tighten.

Claire put her hand on mine.

Myra went on, "The bond is not just for love." "It is for unity." To make strong. Because the pack needs you.

We said the vows again.

Swore to be loyal.

Our undying love.

Our lives.

The blood sacrifice then came. We made small cuts in our palms and pressed them together to mix the blood. It softly sizzled and gave off a faint white light.

The magic had let us in.

After that, the run.

We changed into two wolves in sync as the moon rose and ran through the trees. The forest had seen us fight, love, and lead as we ran together.

My heart beat faster because of her happiness, fire, and joy.

That was the end of the bond.

When we got back, the pack howled with joy. The fire pits had dancing flames. It was full of food and laughter in the village.

Claire and I moved back and stood close to the circle with our hands still together.

Then Rowan ran at us, his face pale.

"What is it?" Claire asked, her smile going away.

He showed me a small, torn piece of paper.

"I found this on the eastern ridge." No smell. Nothing. "Just...this."

As I took the paper, fear twisted in my gut.

It said:

"Enjoy the moment." There will not be many left.

At the very bottom, there was the sign again.

The half-moon shape.

This time, though, it was backwards.

Claire took a deep breath. "What does that mean?"

I stared into the trees beyond the fires.

"That means they are here."