75

"Is it a crime to protect my Luna from a threat?" Malachi asks, a dark eyebrow rising while the rest of his face is hard like granite.

Zander throws up his arms in a show of innocence. "Just because your mate is the most beautiful woman on this side of Falcon River doesn't mean everyone wants to take her from you," he reasons, giving me a wink that draws a chuckle from Hendrik and a groan from Hamilton. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. I just wanted to give my congratulations to the happy couple, and perhaps build a few bridges that were burnt long ago. If we are going to be neighbours again, I want everyone to understand the peace that now exists between us."

"Peace, that's right," I echo and nod my head, looking to Malachi sternly until he finally lowers the double-edge sword and holds it loosely by his side.

"Alright," he grounds out through clenched teeth. "But if I see you even thinking about making one wrong move, my wolves and I will be on you before you can even shift. Understood?"

Zander smiles boyishly, before his face turns serious. "You know I would never go back on the deal we made yesterday." With his hand once more extended, he offers reconciliation in front of all our pack. "For Violet's sake," he whispers as Malachi takes his hand.

With a firm nod, they shake on the peace agreement and everyone collectively lets out the breaths they've been holding.

"Now we party!" a booming voice declares, and we all look up to see Alpha Asa striding towards us, his Luna proudly by his side. The burly Alpha wraps Malachi in his large arms and lifts him off his feet. I laugh at the comical expression on both their faces: Malachi is horrified, Asa is grinning like a little boy on Fire Nights. "This is what I call true love, and I just knew as soon as you two met that there would be fireworks," the older Alpha grins at me and Malachi.

He is known for advocating the mate bond, always pointing out the rich blessings and advantages that come from accepting it early on in a relationship. He is credited for getting the two stubborn Alphas from ForgedHearts to finally see past their differences and thirst for dominance, and embrace each other as equals. I watch now as Kaiden and Chesca smile knowingly, also thinking about the sly deals Asa put to them in order to push them together.

Alpha Asa begins talking to Malachi, and I linger by Zander's side for a moment before he draws me in with his smile.

"Malachi is one lucky wolf," he comments, and I blush at his compliment.

"It wasn't luck that brought us together," I say wryly, looking down at my feet to avoid Zander's intense gaze. His dark eyes seem to linger on my face and track every emotion found there. "I had to die to be with him. But it was worth it, and I'd do it again. I'd give my life for him a thousand times over to keep his heart beating and safe from the enemy."

"That's a very incredible kind of love. I'm earnestly very happy for you both. The commitment and devotion you share is unique."

"Thank you," I say quietly, not missing the way Zander stares at us wistfully, his eyes thoughtful. I am conscious of the emptiness he must still feel from the loss of his mate. "So, you've got some pretty loyal wolves in your pack," I change the subject, motioning to his men who are standing tightly around their Alpha. Their rough and burly appearance, along with dark stares as they survey their surroundings, ensures no one dares come close. My pack members watch them warily and keep their distance amidst the happy chatter and celebrations.

"Yes, they are. This is Flynn, my Beta," Zander introduces us, a look of pride now shining from his eyes. "And Bernard, my Gamma. Cisco and Gerald are my best warriors, and Hugh and Javier are guards who will be in charge of patrolling our new border."

I shake each of their hands, trying to remember the names of these strong and hardened men. They have lost so much, yet I see the resilience in their firm handshakes and determined postures. I am grateful to be a part of the restoration of their pack.

"You must be excited to finally have your land back. We will do everything we can to help you, so don't be afraid to ask," I smile warmly at each of them, meaning every word.

Flynn returns my smile, his light blonde hair becoming mussed as he runs a hand through it nervously. Bernard looks between him and me, then nudges Flynn in the ribs. The well-muscled Beta grunts and shoves him back as Zander just chuckles and shakes his head in amusement.

"I thank you for your kindness, Ariella. We all appreciate what you have done for us," the Alpha tells me.

I wave my hand airily. "It's nothing. Honestly, I was getting so frustrated hearing about this pesky rogue Zander who kept bothering our pack. Little did I know that you were the rightful Alpha of the land to our east. I'm happy to help and finally sort out just one of the problems we've been facing for the last few months."

"Seems like you've solved more than one problem," Zander glances at Malachi who is happily conversing with a few other Alphas and their Betas who are attending our ceremony celebration.

There is no darkness or depression in his countenance; only joy and peace that I feel pulsing through our bond. As if sensing my stare, Malachi turns and our eyes collide. The bright azure colours sparkle in his irises, before the shade shifts to a navy blue and his gaze grows heavy. A shiver runs through me. Not one of fear, but of wonder at what he is thinking, and of my guess at what he could be thinking.

I know both of us feel this new awareness of each other, of our mate's presence even from halfway across the room. Our connection hums and pulses between us, aching to be explored. It is unsatisfied at how far apart we are standing. We have officially claimed each other as mates, so now there's only one thing left to do to fully complete our blossoming bond—

Zander clears his throat. "We finished marking our territory earlier this morning. Javier must've run about fifty laps of the perimetre," he praises his warrior.

My gaze remains riveted on Malachi's, but he gives me a wink before turning to speak to someone. Gathering my straying thoughts, I swivel to Zander and swallow before speaking. "That's wonderful. You have your territory and a loyal command," I say, then continue with a conspiratorial smile, "All you need now is a Luna."

He chuckles, the deep rumble sounding more like a sigh of resignation. "I learned long ago not to hope for a perfect ending. As you said, I have my homeland. My territory, my home, and my pack members all together on their land again. And I am beyond grateful."

"You never know," I shrug, thinking of second chance mates. "The King might have someone else in store for you. I have a feeling you're going to be blessed more than you realise."

Zander looks at me seriously, his eyes darkening at my words. "Thank you, Luna, for your kind words. I am grateful."

I tilt my head, trying to understand his strange response, when I see Devanshi walking up to us from behind the new Alpha. She has an apologetic look on her face.

"Ariella, I'm sorry to interrupt. I just—"

Her lips cease moving and her breath catches as she reaches my side. Her body is drawn around slowly until she is facing Zander, and I watch with alarm the shock that crosses his face.

"I—uhh...." Devanshi begins, her voice trailing off.

"You, umm... you are...?" The Alpha stutters. He seems at a loss for words, and I look from one to the other as they just continue staring. Eventually I nudge Devanshi in the shoulder, raising my eyebrows in question.

"Hi, uhh, I'm Ariella, a friend of Devanshi. I mean, I'm Devanshi, uh..." she stumbles over her words, making me beyond confused.

"Devanshi..." Zander says her name with a strong quality, something akin to reverence in his voice. "It is an honour to meet you." He holds out his hand, and when Devanshi hesitantly places hers in his, he bows over it and presses a kiss on her palm.

Her eyes widen as a soft gasp escapes her lips. Zander clenches his jaw, a flash like muted lightning in his irises as his pupils dilate. They both take a step closer, then a grin breaks out on Zander's face. "I don't believe it," he whispers, almost to himself.

"Don't believe what? What is going on?" I ask, folding my arms as they both seem to ignore me. Devanshi has the softest and happiest smile on her face, such beautiful peace that contrasts the pain and grief she's worn since her father's death. "Guys? Hello?" I wave my hand in their faces, and Zander's eyes finally snap to mine.

"You were right!" he tells me, his smile infectious as it leaps to me and grows on my face. "A second chance mate. God really does have blessings for me that I never even dreamed possible."

"M—mates?!" It's my turn to stutter. "You are mates?" I glance at my friend who can't seem to remove her eyes from the roguish yet impeccably dressed Alpha. He's certainly a head-turner, but Devanshi was never one to look twice at a handsome man. The fact they are mates explains the dreamy look in her eyes. "This is so amazing!" I clasp my hands, then throw my arms around them both and pull them towards me for a hug. They are squished together in the process, and now I know how Alpha Asa feels when he brings two destined mates together. "I'm so excited! Devanshi, we'll both be Lunas together!"

She pulls back and stares at me, stunned, then turns her eyes slowly to Zander. "Who are you exactly?" she asks, biting her lip as she anticipates his answer.

His eyes widen in horror. "Forgive me for failing to introduce myself! I was so taken by your stunning beauty that I...I lost all my manners," he frowns and runs a hand recklessly through his hair, tousling it beyond repair. Then his face morphs once more into a charming smile. "I am Aleczander, Alpha of Siyah Mağara—the newly claimed territory to your east. As my mate, you will have the honour of being our Luna," he takes her hand and once more places a kiss on her knuckles.

I watch her reaction carefully, and smile with pride as she throws back her shoulders, stands a little taller, and nods her head sharply. "I accept. It would be my pleasure, Aleczander, to be your mate and Luna of your pack."

The smile that overtakes the new Alpha's face eclipses even my own. "Friends just call me Zander," he whispers and pulls her into his arms. She rests her face against his chest, and smiles at me.

"You really knew what was going to happen, didn't you, Ariella? This is why you didn't let me take the position as Head Guard."

I shrug. "I didn't know specifics. It was more of a gut feeling."

"She said something to you too?" Zander looks down at his mate with a question written on his face.

Devanshi nods, "Yesterday, when Malachi asked me to fill the position my father held before his death, she intervened and said I was needed for another job. And this must have been it. She knew I would be your Luna."

"Well, not exactly..." I try and explain again.

Zander studies me carefully, his face thoughtful. "So, you have an insight into the future? Strong impressions of what's going to happen?"

"I guess you could call it that," I lift one shoulder and let it drop, unable to fully describe what it is I feel sometimes.

"And you see the truth behind people's lies. Sometimes even hearing what they're really thinking?" Zander continues.

"Exactly!" I snap my fingers. I remember not only listening to Seneca's dark thoughts, the truth behind her light-hearted words, but also snippets of Harlow's true intentions when she was fighting me in the challenge.

Zander nods, satisfied with my answers. "My mother is like that. She calls it spiritual insight."

Tilting my head, I roll the words around in my mind. "Hmm, I like the sound of that."

"She says there's another realm all around us, and not many can see it."

"The Interealm," I say, nodding my head and growing more excited.

"Yes, that's it. That's what she calls it."

"Could she see angels and demons?" I clasp my hands together, watching his face eagerly. His mother sounds like someone I would have loved to talk to personally.

Zander grins, a boyish smile that brightens his rugged features. "You'll have to ask her yourself. Would you like to meet her sometime?"

"Wait, she's alive?"

"What gave you the idea she wasn't?"

Again, I shrug. "I don't know. It just seems so many people have tragic backstories, I didn't want to assume anything otherwise."

"Yes well...there is much grief in my past. That's no secret. But thankfully I am blessed to still have my mother here with me. I'm sure she'd love to meet you. In fact, she's the one who told me about you in the first place." Now it's his turn to grow excited, and his voice takes on a storytelling quality. "Many years ago, she said that the future Luna of this pack would come into the darkness and bring light. That you would restore harmony between our packs."

"Really? She had that kind of insight about me?" My eyebrows lift, my mind spinning at the fact I was the object of someone else's dreams and visions of the future.

"Yes. Then when I met Violet and she told me about how good her brother Malachi was, I thought for certain that he was part of this restoration. But when that didn't happen the way I expected, I began to lose hope. But, then I heard about you from Hendrik and the other men who'd met you. And I knew, just like my mother did, that you were the key to all this," he motions to himself and around us, at the events taking place that have given him back his homeland. "That's why I arranged to discuss it with you civilly, on equal ground. I wouldn't speak to anyone until you were present and could hear my story."

"I'm glad you did. And I'm glad you had so much faith in me, when I didn't even believe in myself. Or Malachi. We've both had a lot of maturing to do," I reach out and lay my hand on his arm.

"You'll both do well, I'm sure of it," Zander winks at me, then his eyes widen when he sees the look on Devanshi's face. "Oh my, I'm sorry. I've been giving Luna Ariella more attention than my own mate. Do forgive me," he furrows his brow with contriteness, his brown eyes wide and open with remorse as he clasps her hands in his.

Devanshi smiles at me, then at Zander before patting him on the chest. "It's okay. Everyone loves Ariella. I won't hold it against you that you got a little distracted," she graciously forgives him, staying true to her kind and humble nature.

Zander leans down and places a kiss on her forehead.

Averting my eyes from their tender moment, I catch the dark glare that Harlow is giving me, daggers shooting from her brooding eyes as she leans against the back wall and casually sips her drink.