She glances at me. “You’ve adapted so much... All this, just in preparation?”
I nod, feeling those long years, the waiting, the learning. “We always knew the day would come that our lives would be shared with our mates.” I sit beside her, close enough to catch the warmth from her body. “So, we’ve studied your customs, your needs, and prepared ourselves.”
Noël takes a spoonful of the broth, and her face softens as the warmth spreads through her. “This is delicious,” she murmurs. “You’ve all gone to so much trouble for me.”
“You are worth every effort.”
While she eats, I step outside to check on my warriors. Two of them stand guard, one on either side of the porch, while a few others patrol the surrounding area. With the barrier gone, we must be ready for anything.
“How lucky can one be?” Zephyr says, nodding toward the house.
Kaël leans in. “Human females are so tiny. Are they supposed to be like that?” His eyes are wide, genuinely perplexed.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Yes, they’re small, but don’t let their size fool you. Their strength lies in their spirit.”
Kaël’s expression shifts, and he lowers his voice. “Do you think the other humans will accept us too? I can’t wait to meet my mate. I’m both happy and jealous!” He sways his hips from side to side, wrapping his arms around himself as if already embracing his mate.
Zephyr sighs and places a paw on his forehead. “Kaël, control yourself.”
I smirk. “You were so serious when you explained Ávera to my mate earlier, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Kaël rolls his eyes. “Just because I can be serious when it counts doesn’t mean I’m not allowed a little excitement.”
Every vólkin longs for the day they’ll meet their mate, and I understand their impatience well. We’ve spent centuries preparing, trying to understand human customs, hoping we’d be ready to welcome our mates and honor them.
I gesture to Kaël and Zephyr to follow me, and together, we walk into the heart of Ávera. The night is still, yet the air feels charged, alive with the energy of our people. Vólkins are gathered across the land, unable to sleep, drawn by the promise of change. As we pass, they bow, and I feel the awe in their gazes.
They feel it as I do—the shift in our world, the beginning of something new.
I acknowledge each vólkin, exchanging greetings. Some aren’t warriors, only residents of Ávera who now share in this anticipation.
One elder walks up to me. “Balance is close, Theron. May the goddesses bless us with strong cubs and harmony.” His words echo others I’ve heard throughout the night, a longing for unity and restoration.
Another, a younger vólkin with bright eyes, murmurs as we pass, “You’ve brought our leader home, Theron. May her presence heal the land.”
I nod in response. Their hopes are on my shoulders, and I will bear them all.
We approach the council room where two guards stand at attention by the entrance. They bow low as I come close, paws pressed to their hearts, and then step aside to allow us through. I meet their eyes before crossing the threshold with Kaël and Zephyr at my sides.
Inside, my warriors stand tall, their postures straight, attention fixed on me. These are the warriors who stood with me on our last patrol, each of them prepared and loyal, ready to face the unknown at my command. These are the finest of Ávera.
“Brothers,” I begin as I move toward the council table, “today marks the start of a new era for Ávera. The arrival of our leader—of Her Majesty—and the fall of the barrier have set events in motion. Everything will change.”
I see a spark in their eyes, pride, eagerness, hunger. These warriors have prepared for years, just as I have, for this exact moment.
“The outside world is open to us now, and with it come new challenges. We must be cautious. The humans may not yet know the barrier is gone, but it won’t stay that way. We stand as Ávera’s shield, its protectors, and we will ensure our territory remains secure,” I say, narrowing my gaze. “I hope I’m being clear.”
The warriors straighten further, each one pressing a paw firmly to their heart.
“Reports from the borders,” I command.
Zephyr speaks first. “We found remnants of a campfire near the edge of the barrier. The embers were still warm when we arrived, suggesting it was abandoned not long before. Aroundit, blackened stones were arranged in strange patterns... ritualistic, maybe.”
Rituals, so close to our borders—not a good sign.
Another warrior speaks, his brow furrowed. “We found footprints, Theron, clearly human, leading in and out from the area. But there were no signs of a struggle. Whoever they were, they were careful.”
I meet his gaze, clenching my jaw. “Yet not careful enough to cover their tracks.”
