Chapter 247
Lynette's POV
I woke up to heat.
Not the uncomfortable kind. The kind that seeped into my bones and made every nerve ending hum with awareness.
Kael's arm was draped across my waist. His chest pressed against my back. His breath warm on my neck—right where he'd marked me last night.
The bite still throbbed. A constant pulse of heat that connected directly to something deep in my chest.
The bond.
Holy shit, the bond was real.
I could feel him. Not just his body against mine, but his emotions. A steady current of contentment and satisfaction flowing through that golden thread between us.
He was still asleep. Peaceful. Happy.
My hand moved to my neck. Traced the raised skin where his teeth had broken through.
Twenty years. Twenty years I'd fought to stay unattached. Untouchable. Free.
And now I was marked. Mated. Bound to another wolf on a level I couldn't even fully comprehend yet.
I should've been panicking.
Instead, I just... wasn't.
My wolf was quiet. Settled. For the first time since I'd taken back my original body, she wasn't prowling under my skin looking for threats.
She was content.
Damn it.
"You're thinking too loud." Kael's voice rumbled against my ear. Sleep-rough and warm.
I turned my head. Found those amber eyes already on me.
"How long have you been awake?"
"Long enough to feel you spiral." His hand slid up to cup my jaw. Thumb brushing the mark. "Regret it?"
"No." The word came out faster than I expected. More certain.
His eyes searched mine. Looking for the lie.
He wouldn't find one.
"Just need time to adjust," I said. Quieter. "This is... new."
"For both of us." He pressed a kiss to my forehead. Gentle. "Take all the time you need."
Through the bond, I felt his sincerity. His patience.
Also his barely-restrained desire to pull me closer and never let go.
I almost smiled. "You're thinking loud too."
"Can't help it." His hand slid down my side. Possessive. "You're in my bed. Wearing my mark. My wolf is losing his mind."
Heat flooded through me. Not just from his touch. From the bond amplifying everything between us.
Dangerous territory.
I sat up. Put some distance between us before I did something stupid like climb back into his arms.
"We have that meeting this morning," I said. Forced my voice steady. "Your pack council."
Kael groaned. Fell back against the pillows. "Right. The fun part where I introduce you as my mate and half of them lose their minds."
"Looking forward to it."
"Liar."
He wasn't wrong.
---
Two hours later, I stood outside the council chamber and tried not to throw up.
I'd faced down armies. Killed alphas twice my size. Ruled the most brutal territory in North America.
But walking into a room full of Harrington pack elders as Kael's official mate?
Terrifying.
"You're broadcasting anxiety through the bond," Kael murmured beside me. His hand found mine. Squeezed. "They're just wolves. You've handled worse."
"Worse didn't involve politics and formal pack structure."
"Fair point."
Drake appeared from inside the chamber. Gave us both a look. "They're ready. And just so you know, Elder James is already in a mood."
Great.
Kael's jaw tightened. "Let me handle James."
"No." I met his eyes. "I need to do this myself."
"Lynette—"
"I'm not hiding behind you." My voice came out sharper than intended. "They need to see I can stand on my own."
Through the bond, I felt his frustration. His protective instinct screaming at him to shield me from this.
But also his respect. His trust.
He nodded slowly. "Okay. But if James crosses a line, I'm stepping in."
"Deal."
Drake held the door open. "After you, Luna."
Luna.
The title hit different now. Official. Real.
I walked through the door.
---
The council chamber was exactly what I expected. Old stone walls. Heavy wooden table. Torches burning in iron sconces even though there were perfectly good electric lights.
Dramatic bastards.
Ten pairs of eyes locked onto me the second I entered. Most were curious. Some cautious.
Elder James looked hostile.
Perfect.
Kael guided me to the seat beside his—the Luna's chair. I sat down. Kept my spine straight. My expression neutral.
Every instinct I had screamed at me to assess threats. Calculate exit routes. Prepare for attack.
Old habits.
Kael's hand found mine under the table. A silent reminder: You're safe here.
"Thank you all for coming." Kael's voice carried that Alpha command. The kind that made lesser wolves sit up straight. "As you know, the mating ceremony concluded successfully last night."
Murmurs around the table. Mostly positive.
James leaned forward. "With all due respect, Alpha, we know very little about Miss Grey's background."
Here we go.
"Her family was exiled," James continued. His tone polite but pointed. "No pack affiliation. No territory. And now she's meant to be our Luna?"
Several elders shifted uncomfortably.
Kael's anger flared through the bond. Hot and sharp.
I squeezed his hand. Hard. Let me handle this.
"You're right," I said. Kept my voice even. "You don't know me."
James blinked. Clearly hadn't expected me to agree.
"My family has no pack ties. No political connections. No reason for you to trust me." I stood up. Slowly. "So let's settle this the traditional way."
The room went silent.
"What are you proposing?" An older female elder asked. Her eyes sharp with interest.
"Strength recognition trial." I looked directly at James. "I fight three of your best warriors. If I win, you accept me as Luna. If I lose..." I shrugged. "I walk away."
Chaos erupted.
"That's highly irregular—"
"No one's passed that trial in decades—"
"She'll get herself killed—"
Kael stood. His presence filled the room. "Enough."
Everyone shut up.
He looked at me. Through the bond, I felt his concern. His desire to protect me from this.
But also his certainty. He believed I could do this.
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.
"Positive."
His eyes held mine for a long moment. Then he nodded.
"The trial will commence in one hour," Kael announced. "In the main training yard."
James looked between us. Confused. Probably expecting Kael to shut this down.
Too bad.
I smiled at him. Sweet as poison. "See you there, Elder."