The main door creaked open, and the sharp clack of leather boots against marble rang out loud and clear.
Kane's sworn rival walked straight up to me and slid an arm around my waist like it was the most natural thing in the world.
We were in the Alpha Council hall, at the exact same table, across from the exact same elder.
"We are here to enter a mate bond," I said.
The elder took our application papers, his gaze lingering for two beats on my face, then on the man beside me, before he began walking through the standard procedure.
"Do you vow, under the watch of the Moon Spirit, to enter this mate bond, share your hunting grounds, and remain forever loyal to one another?"
"I do." Our two voices overlapped, perfectly in sync.
The elder pulled a sheet of parchment from under the table a
