Page 55 of Primal Vow

He wanted it. He wanted humans and Borraq to stop killing each other. He wanted peace.

But was it possible? The gulf between the two species seemed too wide, the wounds between them too deep. How could anyone bridge that gap?

Belatedly, he realized what time it was. The transmission had distracted him and Elian both from the task at hand.

"Damn it — we're going to be late!" Rhys yelped, and he and Elian scrambled to their feet. They rushed out of the building, the lush greenery of the jungle flashing by as they hurried through the village.

They burst out into the central square, and there it was: the beginning of the ceremony, just starting.

Rhys had been living among the Borraq for months now, but there were still plenty of customs and rituals that were new to him. The entire clan was gathered in the square, all of them facing a raised platform at the front. Taryn stood at the head of it, his powerful form a striking silhouette against the golden light of the setting sun.

At his feet, a group of young warriors-to-be stood at attention, their faces a mix of determination and nerves.

The young warriors stood in a line at the front of the raised platform, their golden skin gleaming in the fading sunlight. Rhys studied them, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips as he took in their finery. In a short time, they had come a long way from the brash youths who had first captured him.

Soren was easy to pick out, his massive frame towering over the others. Back when they'd first met, the big warrior's bulk had been intimidating, a physical threat that Rhys hadn't known how to deal with. But now, decked out in the ornate armor of a Borraq warrior, Soren looked regal, his broad shoulders squared with pride. There was still that youthful glint of cockiness in his eye, but it was tempered by a newfound sense of discipline.

Next to him stood Jorah, the slender warrior's gaze fixed straight ahead with laser focus. Rhys remembered him as the quietest of the group, always watching and observing from the sidelines. That same pensive air still clung to him, but now it radiated a sense of steady confidence. Jorah knew his place, knew his role. He was ready.

Krye was a study in contrasts, his lithe form seeming almost delicate when compared to the hulking figures of his peers. But the set of his jaw and the fire in his eyes spoke of an inner steel, one that had always been there, simmering beneath the surface. If anything, the cocky smirk that so often played across his features had only grown more pronounced.

And Worrack… Rhys had to stifle a smile. The determined jut of Worrack's chin was a dead giveaway for the bundle of nerves that he surely was. Rhys could see the slight tremble in his breathing, the way his eyes kept flicking from side to side. He looked like he might vibrate right out of his ceremonial garb.

Despite their vastly different demeanors, they all shared one thing: pride. These weren't the untested youths who had met Rhys all that time ago. Taryn had been training them well. They were warriors now, their expressions a mix of solemnity and quiet self-assurance.

Despite the alien nature of the village and its inhabitants, there was something deeply familiar about the sight: young men about to prove themselves and transition into full adulthood.

Taryn's gaze flicked over to Rhys and Elian for a moment, acknowledging their presence, and then he began to speak. His deep voice echoed out across the square, and the ceremony began.

Taryn's warriors didn't have to fight any beasts or pass any physical trials. Instead, the rite was a test of their minds and their loyalty. They had to answer questions, prove that they understood the laws and customs of their people, and demonstrate that they were ready to lead with honor.

Despite the solemnity of the occasion, Rhys couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he and Elian watched the ceremony unfold.

He'd been accepted into this village. Despite being a human, despite the countless differences between him and the Borraq, he was a member of this community. Taryn had claimed him as a mate, yes, but it was more than that. Rhys had been welcomed. He had a place here.

Here on Vasz, Rhys had found something that he'd long given up on ever having: a community.

The weight of the moment was clear on the faces of the young warriors. As each one was called forward to be initiated, a mix of reverence and determination was etched on their expressions. They were proud to be recognized as Taryn's men, ready to take on the responsibilities that came with it.

Rhys's eyes sought out Taryn, the leader at the heart of this community. Despite the alien features of his face, the curve of his horns, the golden hue of his skin, there was something deeply relatable about him.

Underneath the differences, Taryn's pride in his men, his commitment to leading them, his desire for his people to thrive… it was something that Rhys could understand. Taryn's values were the same as any good leader's.

Taryn's values were the same as his.

As the ceremony drew to a close and everyone began to file out of the square — dragging the now-officially initiated young warriors with them, the poor boys looking half-dead with embarrassment as the older Borraq teased them — Taryn approached Rhys.

His mate's gaze was intense as it locked with Rhys's, a charged moment passing between them. Despite the noise of the crowd around them, despite the distance that they kept between their bodies, the depth of the bond between them spoke volumes.

No words were exchanged. None were needed.

Elian discreetly excused himself, clapping Rhys on the shoulder as he headed off to join the rest of the rowdy group heading to the dining hall. His smile was nothing but good humor, but there was a knowing twinkle in his eye too.

With the ceremony concluded, Rhys turned to Taryn, a warm smile spreading across his face. "You did an excellent job leading the rites. Your warriors are lucky to have such an honorable leader guiding them."

Taryn's intense gaze softened as he looked at his mate. "And I'm lucky to have you to come back to." He reached out, his large hand cupping Rhys's cheek with a tenderness that still took the human's breath away.

Rhys leaned into the touch, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment as he savored the intimacy of the gesture. "Always."

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