Steve laughs lightly. He is so much more confident now. He and I didn’t have the best start. I used to look down on him because he held no significant rank. It was part of the really bad phase I was in. Steve didn’t hold it against me, though. He is so generous and kind. “I’m happy for you, Henry, and for Elodie, but it was a surprise.”

“Well, I can only speak for myself, but I was always really into her.”

Elodie looks a bit flustered but smiles. “What can I say, Steve? I have nothing to say in my defense.”

We all chuckle a bit before Tony looks at Steve and Ryllis in interest. “So, what are the both of you up to? What’s new?”

“Ryllis took up gardening and decoration,” Steve says proudly.

“Really?” Tony asks.

Ryllis nods. “I took a gardening class,” she says quietly. “I like flowers, you know?”

We all nod, listening to her patiently. She still doesn’t talk much, and sometimes her eyes turn sad, but it’s obvious she is a lot better than a few months ago when we first met her.

“And then we had the winter solstice, and Lune Marius was responsible for organizing everything, as the Lune,” She nestles at her shirt a bit. “Then he asked me if I wanted to help with the decoration.”

“Alpha Celine and Lune Marius really like her work,” Steve says proudly.

“Lune Marius asked me to join his team for event planning,” Ryllis says, looking a bit flustered at so much praise and attention but also happy. “I really enjoy it,” she admits with a smile.

“And you, Steve?” I ask him.

“Well, what can I say.” He grins. “I’ve heard that you are stealing one of our elite warriors from our pack…”

“Wait, you are coming to us?” Tony turns his head to Marcel. “You and Elise will become our gammas?”

Marcel smiles and nods. “I talked to Alpha Celine yesterday, and she was so understanding. She encouraged me to take this opportunity, saying I am perfect for the job. I feel kind of bad for leaving Moon Blood,” he admits. “But my sister and my surrogate brother Luca both have left the pack to be with their mates, and I figure it’s time to follow my calling, too.”

“And Moon Blood is really close,” Steve says. “I expect my best friend to visit me regularly if his schedule allows it.”

“And I expect the same from my best friend.” Marcel smiles. “If his schedule allows it.”

“Sorry, Steve.” Tony turns the attention back to Steve. “You were telling us about your plans. What’s that about the new full schedule?”

Steve smiles, looking a bit flustered, while Ryllis looks at him full of pride. This is clearly his moment, and he was waiting for a chance to tell us. “You know that Arman became an advisor to Moon Blood and also works for the Council?” We nod. “Well, with the pack growing and Marius being a lycan prince and needing some help, I got promoted.” He pauses. “He chose me as his beta.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “Fuck, Steve, that’s incredible!”

“My best friend, Beta,” Marcel exclaims.

“And mine, Gamma.” Steve chuckles.

“You are the born beta,” I tell him earnestly, and really mean it. Steve is incredibly strong. His gift is strength, and he is very kind and welcoming. He is exactly the type of person Marius would choose as his beta. I assume that Marcel was in the running, too, but with Marius’ backstory, he probably truly preferred Steve.

And we truly want Marcel.

It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

43

The Bound Deity

*ARMAN*

Ididn’twanttodisturb everyone’s reunion. They have become such good friends over the mission they went on together, and I wanted to give Ryllis and Steve the chance to enjoy their moment with their friends. Ryllis and I go back a long way. We grew up in the same goddess-forsaken pack, but while I was getting groomed by the alpha into his personal weapon, despite the whippings he doled out sometimes, she was a slave in the pack and had it far worse.

I’m so happy for her now that she found such a gentle mate who accepted her immediately and who gave her the love and patience she needed. She also seems to be thriving in her new pack. Lune Marius instantly knew what she went through and started mentoring her.