Kael hesitated.
It was the smallest pause—barely a breath—but after everything we’d just survived, it felt monumental. His jaw tightened, gaze drifting past me to the gorge as if the truth lay somewhere in the rushing water below.
“The bond isn’t just recognition,” he said at last. His voice was low, careful. “It’s a covenant.”
The word settled heavily between us.
“Older than packs,” he continued. “Older than Alphas.”
My pulse stuttered. The morning air suddenly felt thinner, sharper, like the forest itself had leaned in to listen.
“You mean… mates?” I asked quietly.
“No.” The answer came instantly, firm enough to cut through the thought before it could take root. Kael turned back to me then, silver eyes intent. “Not that. This is older. Rarer.”
He searched my face, as if bracing f
