Page 167 of A Sunwoven Ascent

“That sounds dangerous.”

She huffed softly. “It should concern you.”

His mouth curved. “Perhaps. But it is also rather necessary for an alpha.”

Before she could answer, Kaldrek bent and pressed a kiss to the newly inked skin along her neck. The mark was delicate, beautiful even, like roots winding from beneath her hair, trailing over her collarbone and down toward her elbow. Hidden within the design was the symbol that had claimed her as alpha: a small dagger dipped in blood, a blood oath to the pack that had chosen her.

To the court lords and ladies, the marks had been explained as a Centaro custom, one shared by both men and women. Evelyne suspected many still had questions, but the more shifters who wandered through the festival, the less anyone seemed inclined to ask them. There were simply too many “Centaro folk” to examine too closely. Of course, every wolf who wished to attend had first been given strict instruction on how to behave in public, with the added warning that any failure to do so would earn them her mother’s attention. After Holden explained precisely what that meant, most had wisely decided to remain behind.

Kaldrek’s lips lingered, reverent rather than teasing. “I suppose I should have known,” he murmured against her skin. “You were always far too defiant to belong entirely to my command.”

She turned her face toward him, catching the flirtation in his eyes, but the question slipped out before she could soften it. “Does it trouble you? That I am alpha to another pack?”

His expression changed at once, surprise cutting through the warmth. “Trouble me?” He drew her closer, one hand settling at the back of her head as he tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. “Evelyne, I am honored by it. Proud beyond words.” His voice lowered, intimate and certain. “You are my mate, yes, but you are also a warrior, an alpha, and the most remarkable female I have ever known. I would never want you smaller than you are.”

Her throat tightened.

“Kaldrek…”

“I mean it.” His thumb brushed gently along her jaw. “Every wolf who follows you is better for it. Every life you protect is proof of who you are. And I get to stand beside you. Not above you. Beside you.” His gaze softened. “That is the greatest pride of my life.”

Evelyne rose onto her toes and kissed him, and Kaldrek met her as though the whole world had narrowed to that single touch.

When they parted, his forehead rested lightly against hers. “Together, our packs could be extraordinary,” he said. Then his mouth curved again. “And I admit, there is one small advantage.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Which is?”

“I no longer have to worry about someone in my pack defying my orders quite so often.”

Evelyne laughed, the sound soft and real as she tucked herself against his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered. His arms tightened around her. She closed her eyes, breathing him in. “And I am proud too. Proud to call you mine.”

Obren joined them a few moments later, looking entirely too pleased with himself. His attention drifted more than once toward a nearby cluster of debutantes, who pretended not to notice him while giggling behind their fans.

“I have to admit,” he said with a grin, “the southern lands are growing on me.”

Evelyne rolled her eyes. “Of course they are.”

He glanced back over his shoulder at the young women and laughed. “Yeah, my pack will be back soon. Let me know when the next entertaining little event takes place. I may even wear a dress coat.” He winked and Kaldrek groaned.

Ravena and Heidara stepped in beside him as the female alpha’s eyes landed on Evelyne. “I knew I sensed it in you,” Ravena said. “From the beginning. It only needed time.”

Evelyne frowned slightly. “What did?”

“The alpha,” Ravena said. “It was always there. You simply had not found your pack yet.”

Heidara’s face lit with what seemed like pride. “You are not someone’s luna, Evelyne,” she said plainly. “You are an alpha in your own right. Chosen and claimed by the magic that runs through us all. You lead because they follow you, not because of him.”

Her gaze flicked briefly toward Kaldrek before returning to Evelyne.

“Our packs may stand together as family,” Heidara continued, “but do not mistake your place in that, Evelyne. You are not only his mate. You are a leader.”

The words settled deep within her, stronger than anything she might have told herself.

Ravena inclined her head. “It is not common,” she added. “Two alphas, mated and leading separate packs while choosing alliance. But it is not impossible.”

Kaldrek’s hand brushed Evelyne’s, a quiet acknowledgment passing between them. They would figure it out. Together.

A new veil had been restored across the southern lands, though not like the one before. This one had been woven from light magic and witchcraft together, a glamour to shield what needed hiding and a purifying barrier against any darkness that dared cross into their territory. The Solwyn Tree was in full bloom now, thriving in soil healed by light, its roots strong, its power renewed.