Chapter 382
I tell the power in his words, felt the way the air itself seemed to thicken with magic and purpose.
Tonight is especially significant, Orion continued, his voice filled with emotion. We witness not only the mating of two souls, but the union of two packs through their leaders. We also witness something even more precious–the Moon Goddess’s gift of a second chance p>
A ripple of understanding moved through both packs. Everyone here knew our stories, knew what we’d lost and what we’d found.
‘Athena is my sister, my blood, a cherished member of Crescent Moon Orion said. “She has known the pain of rejection, the heartbreak of a bond that was not meant to be. But she has also shown incredible strength in walking away from what was wrong to find what was right p>
1 squeezed Athena’s hands, remembering how she looks when she returned months ago. How close she’d come to accepting a life that would have destroyed her spirit.
“Tristan is my brother in all but blood, Alpha of Silver Ridge, and one of the finest men I know, ” Orion continued.
“He has known the deepest grief, the loss of a mate taken too soon. But he has also shown incredible courage in opening his heart again, in choosing to love again despite the risk of loss p>
I felt the familiar ache at the mention of Jess, but Athena’s hands in mine anchored me to the present, to this moment, to this love that was healing wounds I’d thought would never close.
“Tonight, the Moon Goddess corrects what was broken,” Orion said, his voice ringing with power and certainty.
“She brings together two souls who were meant to find each other, two hearts that have known pain and emerged stronger. Their union
strengthens the bond between our packs, creating ties that will benefit both our communities for generations to come p>
A murmur of agreement rippled through both packs.
“The bond between mates is the strongest force our kind knows,” Orion continues. “It is unbreakable, eternal, and blessed. But the bond
between second chance mates is even more precious, for it is forged not just in joy, but in the wisdom that comes from loss, in the gratitude that comes from knowing how rare and beautiful true love is p>
Tears were streaming down Athena’s face now, and I could feel my own eyes getting wet.
“Tonight, we formalize what the Moon Goddess has already written in the stars–that these two souls belong together, now and forever p>
Orion declared.
He turned to me first, his expression shifting from brother to Alpha, from friend to officiant. “Tristan, Alpha of Silver Ridge, do you come here freely, of your own will and desire p>
“I do,” I said firmly, my Alpha voice matching his in strength and clarity.
“Do you pledge yourself to Athena, to honor her, protect her, love her, and cherish her for all your days? Do you swear before both our packs and the Moon Goddess herself to be a faithful mate and a devoted partner? Do you accept this second chance with humility and gratitude, vowing to treasure every moment you are given p>
“I do,” I said, squeezing her hands, my voice thick with emotion. “With everything I am and everything I’ll ever be. As an Alpha and as a man, I pledge myself to her completely. I accept this gift from the Moon Goddess with a grateful heart, and I will spend every day proving
Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.