Luna Elena wiped her eyes. If you do this, it must be in front of everyone so Adrian knows he can't claim you.
How long will it take, I asked.
Not long, Alpha Marcus said. We can do it tonight after the feast.
Okay, I whispered. I'll do it.
Kyle smiled like the sun. You will.
Yes, I said. You've been kind to me. If anyone should be my mate, it's you.
He hugged me tight. I'll make you happy, he said.
I know, I said.
Then we'll prepare for the bonding, Alpha Marcus said. Luna Elena, help Ariana get ready.
As I left the tent, I looked back at Kyle. His eyes were full of love. Maybe one day, I could love him like that too.
Luna Elena took me to a tent full of dresses. She chose a simple white one. This is perfect, she said.
It's beautiful, I said. Then I asked quietly, Am I doing the right thing? Using Kyle like this?
You're not using him, she said kindly. He wants this. Sometimes love comes before bonding. Sometimes after. That's okay.
But what if I never love him, I asked. What if I'm broken?
You're not broken, she said. You're healing. And Kyle understands that.
I nodded. She was right.
Suddenly, a scream came from outside. A high, scared scream.
We ran out. People were shouting and running.
What happened, Luna Elena asked a woman.
The Henderson children, the woman yelled. They're missing.
My heart stopped.
No, I whispered. Then screamed, NO.
I shifted into my white wolf without thinking and ran as fast as I could. I followed their scent into the forest.
I heard a small cry, Gabriel's voice.
I ran faster. Then I saw them, two men carrying my children.
I jumped on the first man. He dropped Isabella. I bit his arm hard. The second man pulled a knife and cut my shoulder, but I attacked him too. He fell and didn't move again.
Kyle, Daniel, and other wolves arrived. They caught the men.
I shifted back to human, bleeding and naked, and ran to my children. They were crying behind a tree.
It's okay, I said softly. You're safe now.
Kyle covered me with his shirt and checked the children. They're fine, he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Henderson ran over, crying and hugging the children. The kids called them Mama. My heart broke. They didn't remember me.
Kyle held me. You saved them, he said.
But they don't know I'm their mother, I whispered.
They will one day, Kyle said. They'll know you never stopped fighting for them.
I cried in his arms.
Alpha Marcus questioned the men. One of them said, A doctor paid us to take the kids. Adrian, I said coldly.
Alpha Marcus said, Take them away. Adrian just lost his Council protection. The guards dragged the men off.
Mrs. Henderson looked scared of me but said, Thank you.
I only nodded.
When they left, I stood there bleeding and empty.
Kyle said, You saved them. You're amazing.
I just whispered, They'll know someday.
Daniel came over. Ariana, you need to treat that wound.
I didn't care, but I followed them back to the tent.
Luna Elena gasped when she saw me. You're bleeding, she said and cleaned my cut.
Alpha Marcus said, We can cancel the ceremony tonight. You need rest.
No, I said firmly. We will do it tonight. Adrian tried to take my children. I will not let him try again.
Alpha Marcus nodded. Very well.
Kyle asked, Are you sure? I'm sure, I said.
He smiled. Then tonight, you become mine. Forever.
Forever, I repeated.
That night, the feast was beautiful. Lights, food, music, everything.
I wore a white dress. Kyle looked handsome.
You're beautiful, he told me.
I smiled a little. Thank you. Then I saw Bethany, the red-haired girl Kyle used to know.
What is she doing here, I asked.
She was banned, Kyle said. Someone must have invited her.
Bethany walked up smiling fake. Congratulations, Ariana. From rogue to future Luna, very fast.
Leave, Bethany, Kyle warned.
Oh, but I was invited, she said. By a very important person.
My stomach turned. Adrian. She handed me a drink. To your bonding. May it last forever.
I didn't drink it. Drink it, she said angrily.
Kyle took the glass, smelled it, and his face changed. Wolfsbane, he said.
Poison.
You tried to poison me, I said. Not poison, Bethany said proudly. Just enough to make you weak so Adrian's men could take you.
You traitor, Kyle shouted and grabbed her arm.
Guards came running.
Lock her up, Alpha Marcus ordered.
Bethany screamed. Adrian promised me he'd make me his Luna.
Adrian lied, I said. He lies to everyone. The guards dragged her away.
Alpha Marcus looked at the crowd. Let this be a lesson. Betrayal will not be tolerated.
When it was quiet again, Luna Elena smiled weakly. We still have a bonding to finish.
Kyle looked at me. Do you still want this?
Yes, I said. Now more than ever. He smiled with tears in his eyes.
Alpha Marcus raised his voice. Tonight we witness a sacred bond between Kyle and Ariana.
Kyle cut his palm with a knife. I did the same. We pressed our hands together, and our blood mixed.
I, Kyle, take you, Ariana, as my mate, he said.
I, Ariana, take you, Kyle, as my mate, I said softly.
Warmth spread through my chest. I could feel his emotions. He could feel mine. The bond was real forever.
Alpha Marcus said, They are bonded. Blessed by the Moon Goddess.
People cheered. Kyle pulled me into a kiss. You're mine now, he whispered.
Forever, I said.
Even though I didn't love him fully yet, I felt hope.
The war with Adrian wasn't over, but now I was stronger. I had a mate, a pack, and a reason to fight.
Adrian thought he broke me. But he was wrong.
He made me stronger, a mother who would fight the world for her children.
And I would stop at nothing.