"Mark me?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher nodded, stepping closer to her. "Yes. Here, at this stone, in front of the ancestors who built everything you see. This is where I’ll mark you as mine. Officially. It’s part of the tradition, part of the ceremony my mother is so determined to see through. But it’s more than that to me."
She couldn’t help but feel a surge of nerves and excitement. "I didn’t realize it was so... sacred," she admitted.
"Mum wants to have a grand mating ceremony."
"Oh?" She raised an eyebrow, curious. "Is she planning something extravagant?"
Asher chuckled. "You know how she is. Grand gestures, formal traditions. She wants it to be a full-blown event, with all the pack leaders invited. She’s even mentioned bringing in an orchestra."
"A gran
