Page 38 of When Two Worlds Collide

“Even if we die from it?”

“Then we die authentic to ourselves, not as half-creatures torn between worlds.”

The finality of his words affects me deeply. He would choose death over changing his fundamental nature—over accommodating any aspect of my world.

“That’s your solution?” Anger flares unexpectedly. “Accept slow death because you’re too rigid to consider compromise?”

“Compromise?” His laugh lacks humor. “What middle ground exists between untamed and domesticated? Between freedom and constraint? Your people want to tame us, make us ‘proper’ like yourselves.”

“That’s inaccurate,” I protest. “I’ve witnessed your way of life. I understand why you fight to preserve it. But that doesn’t eliminate possibilities for a middle ground.”

“Nature offers only survival or death, strength or weakness,” he growls.

“Then why did the Moon Goddess create this bond between us?” I demand. “Why connect people from opposite worlds without hope for understanding?”

He offers no response, and in his silence, I sense a small victory.

“Perhaps,” I continue more gently, “the bond exists precisely because we need to discover that middle path. Because neither world survives alone anymore.”

A stillness falls over the surrounding forest. The Mountain Bear attacks have transformed this theoretical discussion into urgent practicality. War approaches. Integration versus isolation now represents immediate choices with life-or-death consequences.

“I should return to Haven’s Heart,” I say finally. “The council meets at dawn regarding the Mountain Bear situation.”

Zane nods, our connection momentarily severed. “I’ll accompany you to the border.”

We walk silently, questions unanswered between us. At the territory boundary, I pause.

“If a compromise existed,” I ask, “some arrangement allowing us to complete the bond without either surrendering our identities entirely... would you consider it?”

He studies me thoughtfully. “Such compromise doesn’t exist.”

“But hypothetically?”

His expression softens slightly. “I don’t know.”

Not much encouragement, but not outright rejection either. I turn to leave, then hesitate.

“Zane?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for explaining. For your honesty about the ritual’s meaning.”

He inclines his head slightly. “Knowledge enables choice.”

I cross into neutral territory, my mind processing everything learned. The claiming ritual simultaneously terrifies and compels me—surrendering to natural instincts my panther craves while my rational mind resists.

Zane’s certainty that compromise cannot exist frustrates me. There must exist a path honoring both wild freedom and structured cooperation. The mate bond wouldn’t exist otherwise.

I need to discover it before the Mountain Bears force choices we aren’t prepared to make—or before resisting the bond gradually kills us both.

Back at Haven’s Heart, Kade waits in my quarters.

“Well?” he asks upon my entrance. “Did you find answers?”

I collapse into a chair, exhaustion overwhelming me. “Yes. Worse than imagined.”

I explain the wild claiming ritual, the complete identity surrender, and the absolute primacy of pack bonds.

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