Page 65 of When Two Worlds Collide

Fletcher appears momentarily thrown off balance. The Alliance representatives exchange glances.

“A temporary aberration doesn’t change policy,” the vampire finally says. “One cooperative clan doesn’t erase the threat of others.”

“Then target the real threats,” Zane speaks for the first time, his deep voice cutting through the square. “The Mountain Bears have attacked three settlements. Slaughtered dozens. My pack has defended your people twice now. Judge us by our actions, not your prejudice.”

A tense silence follows. I can practically see the political calculations behind Fletcher’s eyes. The Alliance representatives look uncertain—clearly, they expected to find devastation caused by wild shifters, not cooperation between them and settlers.

“We’ll need to verify these claims,” Fletcher finally says. “Formal statements from survivors. Documentation of the alleged treaty. Until then, all wild shifters must withdraw from settlement territory.”

“Our wounded need care,” Zane counters. “And your settlers need protection.”

“Haven’s Heart guards will assume protection duties,” Fletcher says dismissively.

I step forward. “With respect, Councilor, that’s insufficient. Ridge Stormcrow promised to return with his full clan, over a hundred bears. Your guards aren’t equipped to handle that scale of attack. We need the Shadow Wolves.”

The vampire representative studies me with sudden interest. “You seem unusually... invested in this wild clan’s involvement, Ambassador.”

I feel Zane’s warning through our bond—they’ll notice. The claiming is too fresh to hide completely. Already myscent has changed, blending with his. Already, our movements synchronize unconsciously.

But hiding it serves no purpose now.

“I am invested,” I acknowledge. “Shadow Wolf clan and settlement communities have mutual interests—survival against a common enemy. As someone positioned between both worlds, I’m uniquely qualified to facilitate that cooperation.”

“Positioned between worlds,” the dragon repeats, nostrils flaring as he takes a deliberate breath. His eyes widen. “You’ve bonded with him.”

The accusation lands like a stone in still water, ripples of shock spreading through guards and council representatives alike. Fletcher’s face contorts with disbelief.

“Impossible,” he sputters. “No Haven’s Heart diplomat would?—”

“Would what?” I interrupt, straightening to my full height. “Would form an alliance that saves lives? Would bridge two communities that need each other? Would honor a legitimate mate bond?”

Through our connection, Zane sends a wave of strength. I draw on it, letting some of my diplomatic mask fall away.

“Yes,” I continue, my voice gaining force. “Alpha Blackthorn and I have completed a traditional bonding ritual. It changes nothing about my commitment to protecting all shifters—wild or civilized. If anything, it strengthens my ability to facilitate cooperation.”

Fletcher seems momentarily speechless. The vampire and dragon exchange significant glances.

“This... complicates matters,” the vampire finally says. “The Alliance must reconsider its position if a formal bond exists between Haven’s Heart leadership and wild clan authority.”

“Exactly what we hoped for,” Zane’s thought reaches me through our connection.

“I propose a compromise,” I say, stepping forward. “The Shadow Wolves withdraw to their recognized territory, except for joint patrols established under our treaty. Haven’s Heart guards supplement settlement defenses. When the council verifies the legitimacy of our alliance, we formalize longer-term arrangements.”

Fletcher opens his mouth to object, but the dragon raises a hand to silence him. “A reasonable interim solution. We will take this to the full Alliance council. In the meantime, a temporary truce stands.”

Relief washes through me—temporary, but better than immediate conflict. Zane’s satisfaction pulses through our bond, though I sense his underlying wariness. He doesn’t trust the council to honor even temporary agreements.

The meeting breaks apart, council representatives withdrawing to send messages to Haven’s Heart. As settlers return to evacuation preparations, Zane pulls me aside, into the shadow of the meetinghouse.

“They’ll never accept it,” he says quietly. “Not really. Fletcher’s face?—”

“Fletcher doesn’t speak for the whole council,” I remind him. “Kade will support us. Elena would too. We’ve bought time.”

“Time,” he echoes, reaching to touch my face. His fingers trace my cheekbone with unexpected gentleness. “Something our bond doesn’t have much of.”

The pain pulses between us—that hollow ache of connection interrupted. An incomplete claiming can’t simply be resumed later. The ritual has rules, and patterns laid down over centuries.

“How bad?” I ask, though I already know. I can feel the strain in him, the way the bond stretches thin between us.

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