Page 51 of Collar Me Crazy
"The prophecy says Ryker will either bind the realms or shatter them," Sonya interrupted. "It doesn't say he'll do it alone. Binding the realms could mean exactly what we're planning—bringing all eight couples together into something unbreakable."
She looked around the circle, meeting each person's eyes. "I've seen both futures. The one where we trust each other, where love wins over fear, where the community comes together to protect what matters—that's the future where Hollow Oak survives."
"And the other future?" Lucien asked quietly.
"The other future is why we're here talking instead of waiting to see what happens."
Silence fell over the glade, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the distant sound of night birds in the trees. Then Cora stood, moving to Sonya's side.
"Whatever you need," she said simply. "We're with you."
One by one, the other women joined them. Katniss, Moira, Leenah, Freya, Kaia, and Sera, forming a circle of support around Sonya that made her throat tight with gratitude.
"The men too," Emmett said, standing and clasping Ryker's shoulder. "We've got your back, brother."
Callum, Lucien, Luka, Elias, Kieran, and Maddox gathered around Ryker, their different supernatural backgrounds unified by shared purpose. For the first time, Sonya could see him trulyaccepting his place in the community—not as an outsider to be tolerated, but as family to be protected.
"So how do we do this?" Miriam asked, her practical nature cutting through the emotional moment. "What does the town need to know, and how do we coordinate eight couples plus community celebration without tipping off the Void?"
"We keep the Thanksgiving festivities exactly as planned," Sonya said, already working through the logistics. "The Void expects us to be distracted by celebration. We use that expectation against it."
"And the claiming?" Varric asked.
Sonya felt her cheeks flush again, but Ryker's steady presence gave her courage. "During the sunset blessing, when the whole town is gathered and the energy is focused on gratitude. The moment when everyone is thinking about what they're thankful for."
"The most powerful positive energy of the entire year," Twyla murmured approvingly. "Clever."
"Can the other couples help somehow?" Cora asked. "Channel energy toward you during the crucial moment?"
"Yes," Sonya said immediately, though she wasn't entirely sure how. "If you're all thinking about your own bonds, your own gratitude, it should create a resonance that amplifies our connection."
"A network," Moira said, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Eight bonds creating a web of protection around the entire town."
"Exactly." Sonya reached for Ryker's hand, their fingers interlacing naturally. "Together, we're stronger than the sum of our parts."
Around them, the community leaders began discussing practical preparations—strengthening wards, coordinating patrols, preparing the traditional Thanksgiving feast whilesecretly readying for battle. But Sonya's attention was focused on the man beside her, noting how he stood taller now, how his green eyes held determination instead of fear.
The fire crackled between them and their community, casting dancing shadows on faces filled with resolve. Sitting here surrounded by people who'd chosen to stand with them, Sonya felt hope burning brighter than fear.
The Void might be ancient and hungry, but love was older. And community was stronger than any entity that fed on isolation and despair.
They were going to win. She could feel it.
30
RYKER
The morning after the war council, Ryker found himself back in the Council Glade with Varric, the ancient parchment spread between them on a flat stone. The complete prophecy looked even more ominous in daylight.
"Read it again," Varric said, his voice gentle but insistent. "Not just the words, but what lies beneath them."
Ryker let his wolf rise enough to translate, the old script resolving into meaning that sat heavy in his throat.
"When seven hearts beat as one, and magic's web grows strong, the eighth shall come to seal the fate—for good or ill, the choice awaits. Bind the realms in harmony's light, or shatter veils and bring the night."
He paused, the next lines making his wolf whine with unease.
"The blood moon's child must choose his path, to save the world or face its wrath. When the circle closes and love closes the ring, the Void wakes, and chaos brings. Only sacrifice can make things right—or darkness claims eternal night."
