Page 83 of My Fated Mate

I smile, tears of joy streaming down my face. “I love you too, Thorne.”

In that moment, I know that our bond is unbreakable—forged in the fires of passion and sealed with the promise of a love that will last a lifetime.

Chapter 23

THORNE

Waking up next to Elowen, the weight that's been clinging to me for weeks seems to have finally lifted.

The sun shines brighter, streaming through the gaps in the curtains, painting dappled patterns on her peaceful face.

A gentle smile graces her lips, and for a moment, I watch, overwhelmed with a sense of wholeness I never thought I'd experience again.

Mine.My beautiful mate.

Elowen stirs, her eyes fluttering open. A slow smile spreads across her face as she meets my gaze. "Good morning," she murmurs, her voice husky with sleep.

"Good morning, love," I reply. The word "love" tastes foreign on my tongue, yet it feels utterly perfect, slipping past my lips.

Reaching out, I tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her touch sends a jolt through me, a reminder of our shared connection, a connection I almost threw away.

"Elowen," I begin, hesitant to break the comfortable silence, "I… I can't believe you forgave me."

She reaches up and takes my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "There were a lot of things at play, Thorne," she says softly. "Fear, duty… but seeing you fight for me, for our future, that changed things."

Relief washes over me; it is so intense that it almost takes my breath away. "I promise, Elowen," I vow, my voice rough with emotion. "I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

She leans in, her lips brushing against mine in a soft kiss. "No need for promises," she whispers. "Just be with me, Thorne. That's all I need."

I lean down, pressing a soft kiss to her. “Always, my mate.”

The rising sun throws long shadows across the camp as I rise and step toward the window. Activity crackles in the air—excited chatter, the sharpening of weapons, the rhythmic thump of paws against the earth. The other packs Elowen mind-linked with have arrived.

Relief washes over me. Numbers bolster our confidence, but more importantly, their presence signifies unity. These are allies, not adversaries. Together, we could stand a chance against the darkness that threatens to consume us.

I spot Kael, the alpha of the Riverwood Pack, a burly man with a gruff demeanor but a fierce loyalty that shines in his yellow eyes. We exchange a nod of respect, a silent pact forged in the face of a common enemy.

Even Kain, for once, does not make me want to tear his throat out. He’s smiling and holding his mate.

A low sigh erupts from behind me. Elowen stands in the doorway, her hair a mess, eyes still bleary with sleep. But there's a spark in their depths, a fierceness that matches the rising sun. She walks towards me, her hand falling naturally into mine.

"Ready to face what's coming, Thorne?" she asks with a sexy smile.

I squeeze her hand, the warmth sending a jolt through me. "More than ever. Together."

Hours later almost all the groups are here. My gaze sweeps across the assembled crowd, and a sea of wary faces stares back at me.

These aren’t just warriors from neighboring packs; they are the last bastions of hope in a world teetering on the precipice of darkness.

Beside me stands Elowen, her presence a source of strength, her luminous eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Taking a deep breath, I clench my fists. "We stand here today not as rivals, not as strangers, but as the last line of defense against a tide of pure evil," I begin, my voice ringing across the clearing. "The Dark Moon Pack threatens to consume everything we hold dear – our families, our freedom, the very essence of who we are."

A low murmur ripples through the crowd, a shared fear hanging in the air. I understand their apprehension. The Dark Moon Pack's reputation precedes them—ruthless, bloodthirsty, driven by a hunger that knows no bounds. But fear cannot be our guide.

"We may come from different packs, with different traditions," I continue, "but in the face of this threat, those differences become insignificant. Today, we are not Moonfall, not Riverwood, not any of the packs we call home. Today, we are one. A united force against the encroaching darkness!"

A lone wolf from the Ironjaw Pack steps forward, a grizzled veteran with a battle-scarred face. His eyes, though wary, hold a glimmer of hope. "And how do we fight this darkness, Alpha Thorne?" he asks, his voice gruff but respectful.

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