I woke up sore, happy, and officially married to a werewolf king without a single wedding.
The mating mark on my shoulder throbbed in the best way (a constant, warm reminder that last night had been real). Silver crescent moons circled the bite, glowing faintly every time Noctis's heartbeat synced with mine.
Which was constantly.
He was already awake, propped on one elbow, tracing the mark with a look of pure awe.
"Morning, my Luna," he murmured, voice still rough from all the growling.
I stretched, wincing at the delicious ache between my thighs. "Morning, my possessive caveman."
He grinned (actual teeth, fangs still slightly elongated) and leaned down to lick the mark again like he couldn't help himself.
The bedroom door suddenly exploded off its hinges.
Literally.
Wood splinters rained down as six ancient-looking werewolves in black robes stormed in, eyes glowing, power crackling in the air.
Noctis was up in a blur, naked and furious, shielding me with his body.
"Get out!" he roared, voice deep enough to rattle my bones.
The tallest elder (a woman with silver hair and eyes like winter) didn't even flinch.
"You marked a human," she said, tone glacial. "Without council approval. Without the blood ritual. You have broken sacred law, Noctis Valerius."
Noctis snarled, claws fully extended. "She is my fated mate. The law bends for fate."
Another elder stepped forward, holding an ancient scroll. "The curse—"
"Is broken," I finished, sitting up and pulling the sheet to my chest.
Every head snapped toward me.
I lifted my hair, showing the glowing silver mark.
"Feel it," I said calmly. "The bond is complete. The curse has been silent since last night. Check him yourselves."
The elders froze.
The silver-haired woman narrowed her eyes, then inhaled sharply.
A ripple went through all six of them.
"He's… calm," one whispered. "The blood rage is gone."
Noctis's shoulders sagged with relief I hadn't realized he was holding.
The lead elder looked at me like I was a miracle and a curse in one.
"You are human," she said slowly. "Yet the mark took. The moon accepted you."
"Her name is Tanya," Noctis growled. "And she is your Luna. Address her properly."
The elders dropped to one knee in perfect unison.
I blinked.
"Uh… hi?"
The silver-haired woman (Elder Morgana, apparently) rose first.
"Luna Tanya," she said, voice softer now. "The prophecy spoke of a second priestess who would either break the king… or save him. We thought it myth."
She glanced at my stomach.
"It seems the moon never lies."
Noctis pulled me against his side, still gloriously naked and completely unbothered.
"Meeting adjourned," he declared. "My mate is hungry, sore, and needs a bath. You can grovel later."
Morgana's lips twitched (almost a smile).
"As you command, Your Majesty."
They filed out, repairing the door with a wave of power as they went.
The second it closed, Noctis turned to me, eyes wide.
"You just faced down the Lycan High Council wearing nothing but my bite mark," he said, voice reverent. "I have never been more in love with you."
I laughed, then winced as the movement pulled at certain muscles.
He scooped me up instantly. "Bath. Food. Then bed again. Doctor's orders."
"You're not a doctor."
"I'm the king. Close enough."
An hour later I was floating in a tub the size of a swimming pool, surrounded by peppermint bubbles, being fed strawberries by a very naked, very happy werewolf king.
The curse was silent.
The elders were terrified.
The entire supernatural world had just been turned upside down by a human who slapped a she-wolf on live television.
And for the first time in centuries, Noctis Lysander looked like a man who might actually get his happy ending.
I leaned back against his chest and smiled.
Let them come.
We were ready.