Real acceptance.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Nearby, Gunner groaned and rubbed both hands over his face.
“I’m going to need several drinks after this.”
“You are also going to apologize to the maintenance staff,” Professor Kenna informed him dryly. “And possibly the pastry vendors.”
Gunner glanced toward the destroyed fried dough stand.
“That’s fair.”
The Draugr folded his massive arms across his chest beside Serena.
“Technically,” he rumbled thoughtfully, “Menon only destroyed one stand. The Alpha destroyed the others.”
Professor Kenna blinked slowly.
“You are not helping,” I whispered.
Serena immediately pointed at Raven.
“He’s right though, Professor. The Alpha instigated everything.”
“Serena, it’s okay,” Draugr murmured.
“What? Justice matters!” The Necromancer shouted.
I laughed.
Actually laughed.
Right there in the middle of the wreckage and magical chaos and emotional fallout.
And maybe that was the strangest part of all.
Not the moon blessing.
Not the celestial matebond.
Not even Menon punching an Alpha unconscious for insulting me.
Nope.
The strangest part was that despite the disaster surrounding us—I felt happy.
Completely.
Overwhelmingly.
Wildly happy.
Because Menon still held me like he never intended to let go.
Because the bond between us glowed warm and steady beneath my ribs.
