“Yes.” The word tore from her throat, thick with tears and joy. “Yes, of course!”
The hall erupted into thunderous cheers and applause as Korran slipped the ring onto her finger with trembling hands. The moment it settled into place, he surged to his feet and she threw her arms around his neck, their mouths meeting in a kiss that tasted of tears and promise.
The crowd’s noise faded to background static as she lost herself in him, in the rightness of this moment, in the overwhelming realization that this powerful, perfect man was truly hers.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, she glanced toward the front row. Queen Lysia sat with tearsstreaming down her face, but her smile was radiant and proud—not just for her son, but for Tess, for their future.
A pang of grief touched her heart that King Voran couldn’t witness this moment, but she knew somehow that he was watching, that he approved. More importantly, she could see in the faces surrounding them that the clan finally understood what she and Korran had proven—human-shifter bonds didn’t weaken kingdoms. They strengthened them.
Without warning, Korran swept her up in his arms, carrying her toward the hall’s exit as the crowd cheered louder. Through their bond, his desire blazed hot and urgent, mixing with her own until she felt dizzy with want.
“Where are we going?” she laughed against his ear.
His answering grin was pure male possession. “Home.”
TWENTY-TWO
TESS
One month of wedding planning had nearly driven Tess to madness. Not the scientific kind of problem-solving she thrived on, but the endless decisions about flowers, food, and whether to honor Earth traditions or Nova Aurora customs. She and Korran had debated everything from venue size to ceremonial protocols until they’d finally landed on something beautifully unconventional—a small ceremony at the ancient burial grounds where King Voran rested, followed by a grand reception at the estate where she would officially be crowned queen.
Now, sitting in the passenger seat of Gabrielle’s vehicle as they wound through the snow-covered mountain roads, Tess smoothed her hands over the silk of her wedding gown. The dress was a masterpiece—a fitted bodice with delicate beadwork that caught the morning light, and a flowing skirt that managed to be both elegant and practical for the outdoor ceremony. Her white fur coat, lined with the softest material she’d ever felt, kept the mountain chill at bay while making her feel every inch the queen she was about to become.
Queen.
The title still felt surreal, even after a month of preparation.
“You look absolutely stunning, dear,” Queen Lysia said from the backseat, her voice warm with maternal pride. “Though I suspect that glow has more to do with your mate than the dress.”
Tess caught Lysia’s knowing smile and felt heat rise in her cheeks. The former queen—who had officially stepped down yesterday to make way for Tess’s coronation—looked elegant in deep blue silk, her silver-streaked hair pinned in an intricate style that spoke of her years of royal experience.
“She’s practically vibrating with excitement,” Gerri chimed in from beside Lysia, her white bob perfectly styled despite the early morning. The matchmaker wore one of her signature pantsuits in royal purple, complete with statement earrings that sparkled like tiny stars. “Though I have to ask—when are you two planning on giving me some adorable royal babies to spoil?”
The old Tess would have choked on such a direct question, would have deflected with scientific data about optimal family planning timelines. But this version of herself—the woman who had learned to embrace love alongside logic—just smiled.
“We want children soon,” Tess admitted, surprising herself with how naturally the words came. “A big family, actually. We want to fill the estate with laughter and love.”
Gerri’s eyes flashed gold with satisfaction. “Now that’s what I like to hear. Nothing heals a kingdom quite like the pitter-patter of little royal feet.”
Through the mate bond, Tess felt a pulse of warmth and possessive satisfaction that could only be Korran. Even separated by miles, their connection hummed with anticipation and desire so intense it made her breathless.
“He’s eager to see you,” Lysia observed with motherly intuition. “I haven’t seen my son this happy in... well, perhaps ever.”
Gabrielle navigated the final curve in the mountain road, and the ancient burial grounds came into view. The sacred spacelooked ethereal in the morning light—ancient stone markers dusted with blue snow, and towering yellow peaks creating a natural cathedral around the cleared ceremonial area. Tess’s breath caught at the beauty of it, but more than that, she felt the rightness of this choice.
Having their wedding ceremony here, where King Voran’s spirit could witness his son’s happiness, felt like completing a circle of healing for this family she was joining.
“Perfect choice,” Lysia whispered, and Tess heard the thickness of emotion in her voice. “Voran would have loved this.”
As Gabrielle parked the vehicle, Tess spotted the small gathering already assembled near the ceremonial stones. Korran stood at the center in a formal black suit and charcoal wool coat, his massive frame commanding even in the sacred space. Beside him, Orric looked dignified in his ceremonial attire, while Kael—now officially her head research assistant—shifted nervously in clothes that were clearly borrowed for the occasion.
The clan elder who would officiate their ceremony waited patiently, his weathered face kind but solemn with the weight of tradition.
But Tess only had eyes for her mate.
When Korran turned and saw her stepping out of the vehicle, the wave of raw emotion that crashed through their bond nearly knocked her sideways. Love, possessiveness, hunger, and something deeper—a bone-deep satisfaction that spoke to his alpha nature finally claiming his mate completely.
His dark eyes tracked her every movement as she approached, and the heat in his gaze made her pulse race. Even dressed formally for their wedding, he radiated that controlled power that had first captivated her. The way his suit emphasized his broad shoulders and powerful frame, the careful styling of his dark hair, the predatory stillness with which he watched herwalk toward him—everything about him screamed alpha male claiming his queen.
