Page 52 of When Two Worlds Collide

“Not my council,” she corrects. “The Alliance. And they’re not targeting your pack specifically—they’re responding to Stormcrow’s aggression. If we demonstrate the Shadow Wolves are fundamentally different?—”

“They won’t care,” I interrupt. “They see all wild shifters as the same threat.”

“Then we change how they see.” Her intensity catches me off guard. “We show them integration is possible.”

“Integration?” The concept tastes foreign on my tongue. “My pack won’t surrender their ways.”

“I’m not asking them to.” She steps closer. “I’m suggesting we demonstrate a new model—wild strength with civilized cooperation.”

Something in her expression shifts, vulnerability replacing determination. “But it would require sacrifice. From both of us.”

Understanding dawns. “The bond.”

She nods. “If we complete the mate bond, it creates precedent. The first formal union between wild and civilized shifter leadership. A living symbol of integration.”

The proposal stuns me into silence. After all her resistance, all her logical arguments against our connection, shenow suggests embracing it completely. The contradiction seems incomprehensible.

“You’d abandon everything?” I finally manage. “Your position, your duty to Haven’s Heart—everything you listed moments ago?”

“Not abandon,” she clarifies. “Transform. I’d become something new—neither fully wild nor completely civilized. A bridge between worlds.”

I study her face, searching for deception or manipulation, finding only determination mingled with fear.

“Why?” I demand. “Why sacrifice yourself for my pack?”

“Because I’ve seen your people,” she says softly. “I’ve walked your sacred grounds. I’ve fought beside your warriors. They don’t deserve extermination because of Stormcrow’s actions.”

Her words strike deeper than she knows. No one in my lifetime has defended Shadow Wolves except other Shadow Wolves. The concept of an outsider—particularly a Haven’s Heart diplomat—fighting for our survival seems impossible.

Yet here she stands, offering herself as a sacrifice to save my pack.

“And there’s more,” she admits, her voice dropping lower. “I’m tired of fighting this bond. It strengthens daily, as you said. The pain of resistance grows worse. Perhaps the Goddess knew what she was doing after all.”

The revelation of her suffering mirrors my own—the constant ache beneath my breastbone, the pull that intensifies whenever we’re apart. The bond doesn’t tolerate denial.

“You understand what completing the bond means?” I ask. “Three days in animal form. Surrendering to instinct completely. No turning back once we begin.”

She swallows but nods. “I understand. I’ve researched everything about the ritual.”

“Research isn’t experience,” I warn. “The claiming ritual will change you fundamentally.”

“Then explain what I can’t learn from books.” Her golden-green eyes meet mine without wavering. “Help me understand what I’m agreeing to.”

Before I can respond, the door opens. Kade stands in the threshold, his expression grave as he looks between us.

“The council is finalizing deployment details,” he says. “They want both of you present.”

Ember straightens, mask of Ambassador falling into place. “We’ll be right there.”

When Kade leaves, she turns back to me. “Meet me at dawn tomorrow. The boundary stone where we first began negotiations. Come alone.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then your pack faces Alliance forces without allies.” Her directness holds no manipulation, only truth. “But I think you’ll come. Because, despite everything, you know this is our only chance.”

She moves toward the door, but I catch her arm. The contact sends electricity through my veins, the bond humming between us.

“Why dawn?” I ask.

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