Page 106 of Sun Warrior

“It’s never happened before,” O’Bryan said. “But that pup has chosen you, and if you accept her you are bound for life.”

“Is there something I have to say, something I have to do, to accept her?” Sora asked.

“Well, there is, but the words aren’t important,” Rose said. “All you have to do is love her back.”

“Then I’ve already accepted her.” Sora smiled up at them through her tears as the pup snuggled against her.

O’Bryan threw his head back and shouted, “The pup has chosen!” Then he turned to Sora and spoke formally. “May the Sun bless your union with Chloe, Moon Woman.”

“May the Sun bless your union with Chloe!” Sarah, Lydia, and Rose intoned together.

“What? Did I hear you say—” Sheena and Captain came running up to the group. “Oo-o-oh, I see I did hear you say a pup has chosen. Wow! She chose Sora?”

Sora narrowed her eyes at Sheena. “Yes. She’s mine and I’m hers.”

Sheena held up her hands in mock surrender and stepped back, laughing softly. “Yep, she’s definitely chosen you. What’s her name?”

“Chloe!” Sora spoke the word like a prayer.

“May the Sun bless your union with Chloe!” Sheena said.

“Hey, Cammy started acting all weird, and insisted we come back, even though I think I could have bagged at least one more turkey. What’s going on?” Davis said as he and his little blond Terrier jogged up.

Cammy went to Sora, looked up at the girl and the pup, sat his butt down on the moss, and lifted his muzzle to the sky, howling with happiness. Beside Sheena, Captain joined in, and then two more Shepherdssounded the celebratory howl as Rigel and Laru galloped down the wide stone stairs, racing into the clearing, with Nik and Mari, looking utterly confused, running behind them.

“What has happened?” Mari gasped the words between panting breaths.

“It’s Sora! She’s spectacular!” O’Bryan beamed at the Moon Woman cuddling Chloe to her chest.

“Spectacular, huh?” Antreas muttered, sending O’Bryan a knowing look. “Boy, you and I better have a talk.”

“What?” asked Sora. She was hardly able to take her eyes from Chloe.

“Nothing,” Antreas said quickly.

“No, someone tell me whatreallyhappened.” Mari moved to Sora’s side and began checking her for wounds.

Nik took Mari’s hand, stilling her. “If I am not mistaken, this lovely little Terrier pup just chose Sora as her Companion.”

“Huh?” Mari said.

Sora looked up at her friend, eyes shining with tears and happiness. “He’s right. She chose me! Chloe chose me. Oh, Mari! I—I didn’t know it was like this. I had no idea. It’s… it’s—” Sora broke off with a sob, unable to find the words.

“It’s wondrous,” Davis said, bending to hug Cammy.

“It’s breathtaking,” Sheena said, resting a fond hand on Captain’s broad head.

“It’s miraculous,” Rose said, picking up Fala and kissing her softly on the muzzle.

“It’s forever magickal,” Mari said, smiling through her own tears as she knelt and hugged Rigel. “Congratulations, Moon Woman. You will never be alone again.”

Sora held her Chloe close.She won’t leave me like my parents did. She’ll love me for as long as we live.Chloe lifted her head and met her Companion’s gaze, sending waves of love and reassurance to her as Sora sobbed and laughed with joy.

CHAPTER 24

“So, what now?” Mari was finally the one to ask the question they all must have been thinking. The group of them—Mari, Nik, O’Bryan, Antreas, Davis, Sora and her Chloe, Sheena, and Rose—had gathered around the center bonfire area after settling Sarah and Lydia back in the burrow for a much-needed nap.

“What do you mean,what now? Chloe’s mine. I’m hers. That’s it. Nothing towhat nowabout,” Sora said stubbornly, cradling her pup close.