The celebration stretched into the night—music pulsing through the great hall, laughter echoing off stone walls, the mingled scents of three packs creating something new and electric in the air.
I stood near the dais with Sirus tucked against my side, his small hand gripping mine like a lifeline. He'd glued himself to me since the ceremony ended, his eyes wide with wonder as wolves from Iron Fang, Ashwood, and Black Talon swirled around us in a vibrant sea of color and sound.
"That was so cool," he whispered for the third time, looking up at me with pure awe. "You bit them and everything."
I smiled, smoothing his dark hair back. "That's how mates claim each other."
"Does it hurt?"
"A little. But it's worth it."
He considered this seriously, then nodded. "Okay. When I'm big, I'm gonna
