The forest clearing was lit by a roaring bonfire, casting flickering orange light across the faces of the gathered men. Xander sat on a thick log, a bottle of whiskey in hand, surrounded by Allen and the most trusted pack warriors. It was a deliberately low-key bachelor party — no clubs, no strippers, just the brotherhood that had stood with him through every battle, every challenge, and now this final step into marriage.
Allen raised his bottle with a wide grin. “To Xander Avila — future Alpha, pain in my ass since we were pups, and the luckiest bastard alive because Claire actually said yes.”
Laughter erupted around the fire. Bottles clinked as the warriors cheered. Stories began flowing freely — old training disasters, ridiculous teenage adventures, and how completely Xander had falle
