POV: Araya
The clearing glows with moonlight, silver and ethereal. Araya stands before Ronan, her heart racing with anticipation and certainty mixed together.
This is different from anything she experienced with Jasper. That bond was given by fate, forced through biology and moon magic.
This bond is chosen. Built through trust and respect and love earned over time.
Ronan's hands move to Araya's face, cupping her cheeks gently. "Are you certain? Once we do this, there's no going back."
"I'm certain," Araya says. "I've never been more certain of anything."
Ronan's golden eyes search hers one final time. Then he nods.
"Under the moon," Ronan says. "We forge our bond. Not through fate's command, but through our choice."
He shifts partially, his form caught between human and Direwolf. H
