Through our bond, I felt my mates' overwhelming pride and love washing over me. I turned my head to where they stood at the edge of the clearing, their eyes glowing with reflected moonlight. As one, they stepped forward, joining me in the centre of the ceremonial grounds.
It was time for the second part of the ceremony, the formal recognition of our mate bond. But as they approached, I caught a flicker of movement from the Northern Alliance platform. Lord Donovan had raised his hand slightly, and several wolves were moving into position around the clearing's edge.
Diamond growled, the sound rumbling deep in my chest. —They're going to try something. Be ready.—
My mates sensed my alertness through our bond, their postures shifting subtly from ceremonial to defensive. Kane positioned hims
