Page 36 of When Two Worlds Collide

“If both prove worthy, they consummate the bond physically—first in animal form, then human.” He observes my reaction carefully. “The connection becomes permanent, unbreakable even by death. Scents merge permanently. Minds link partially. They transform into extensions of each other.”

I shiver at the intensity of his description. Now I comprehend why he retreated from our near-kiss. This transcendssimple mating—it represents fundamental identity transformation.

“That explains your resistance,” I realize. “Mating with me means accepting aspects of the structured world you despise.”

“And for you,” he counters, “it means surrendering your diplomatic identity. Wild mates share territory and purpose. The female doesn’t serve one tribe while the male serves another.”

The full implications become clear. “I would need to leave Haven’s Heart. Join your pack.”

“Not merely join them. Become integral to them.” His expression remains neutral, though I perceive internal conflict. “An alpha’s mate becomes alpha female—respected, obeyed, but bound by pack law above everything else.”

My panther nature thrills unexpectedly at this concept—the raw power, the clarity of pack hierarchy. Yet my human self recoils.

“Impossible,” I state. “People depend on me. I have responsibilities.”

“Now you grasp why we must resist this.” He resumes walking deeper into the forest.

I follow, questions multiplying. “Does it eventually fade if we continue resisting?”

“No.” He navigates beneath a low branch. “It intensifies until becoming physically painful. The longest documented resistance lasted eight months. Both shifters died.”

Dread spreads through my body. “Died?”

“The bond creates biological changes. Fighting those changes gradually damages the body.”

I halt. “So our options include completing a ritual forcing me to abandon my entire life, or slowly dying?”

“Those represent the Moon Goddess’s choices for us.” He stops but doesn’t turn. “Neither option seems acceptable.”

We’ve entered a clearing bathed in moonlight. An atmosphere of ancient power surrounds us—a place where wild creatures rule. My panther presses closer to consciousness, drawn by primeval energy.

“Show me,” I hear myself request.

Zane turns, questioning.

“Show me the ritual requirements.” I move closer, anxiety mingling with anticipation. “Not the full three days, but... I want to experience what wild claiming feels like.”

“This isn’t for experimentation,” he says. “The ritual initiates a process difficult to halt.”

“I’m not suggesting we begin the actual ritual. Just... explain the sequence. What happens first? Next?” I struggle to articulate my need to comprehend something so alien to my upbringing. “I can’t decide without complete information.”

Marcus emerges from the clearing’s edge, watching suspiciously. Zane acknowledges him with a brief glance.

“Leave us.”

Marcus hesitates. “Alpha?—”

Zane cuts him off firmly. “I said, leave us. Return to camp. I’ll join you later.”

With visible reluctance, Marcus withdraws, though likely remaining nearby.

Once alone, Zane approaches slowly, resembling one predator assessing another. “The ritual begins with scent marking. The male marks the territory where claiming occurs.”

“Then what?”

“The female acknowledges that territory with her ownscent markers, demonstrating willingness to join her territory with his.”

I swallow. “What follows?”

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