The grand celebration was in full swing, a vibrant tapestry of light and sound. Warm candlelight reflected off shimmering glasses and elegant silver banners draped meticulously from the high ceiling.
The murmur of conversation, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the soft swell of music, echoed gently in the vast hall as pack members mingled, their spirits lifted by the festive atmosphere. Lyra stood near the dais, a focal point of quiet grace, doing her best to stay grounded while dozens of unfamiliar eyes, sharp with curiosity, settled on her. Her long, dark hair was pinned back just enough to expose the twin marks glowing faintly on her neck—a beacon of her new reality.
Xander was whispering something deliciously inappropriate in her ear—something about sneaking off to the private g
