Chapter 20 #3
"That's up to them. They submitted to my authority, which means they can stay in the pack if they want.
But they'll be watched carefully, and any more challenges to my leadership will result in banishment.
" I stand and start getting dressed. "Honestly, I think Marcus might choose to leave on his own.
His pride won't let him stay after losing so publicly. "
Ava gets up and starts pulling on her own clothes. "And if he does leave? Where would he go?"
"Probably try to join another pack. Maybe one that's more traditional, more aligned with his views." I shrug. "Or he could go rogue, live alone. It's not ideal, but some wolves prefer it."
We head to the kitchen, and I make coffee while Ava rummages through my refrigerator.
"You have basically no food," she observes.
"I've been a little preoccupied with preparing for a leadership challenge."
"Fair point." She pulls out eggs and cheese. "I can make omelets if you have—yes, there's the bread. Toast too."
I watch her move around my kitchen like she belongs there, and the rightness of it hits me all over again. This is my future—mornings like this, simple and domestic and perfect.
My phone buzzes with a text from Caleb.
How are you feeling? And how did the conversation go?
Healed up fine. And she accepted the bond.
My brother’s response is immediate.
CONGRATULATIONS! Rachel is screaming and demanding details.
Tell her we'll come by this afternoon. I need to talk to Gregory first.
He's been expecting your call. Good luck, brother. I'm happy for you.
I set down the phone and find Ava watching me with a soft smile.
"Caleb?" she asks.
"Congratulating us. Rachel is apparently very excited."
"That sounds like her." Ava plates the omelets and brings them to the table. "So, Gregory next, then Caleb and Rachel?"
"That's the plan. Unless you want to do something else first?"
She considers this while we eat. "Actually, I should probably check in with my advisor. Let Dr. Venkatesan know I'm planning to stay here long-term, see if we can work out a remote arrangement."
"Good idea. The sooner we get that settled, the better."
After breakfast, I call Gregory. He answers on the second ring.
"Hunter. I take it the conversation went well?"
"You knew?"
"I've been around long enough to recognize the bond when I see it. You claimed her in front of the entire pack last night. The formal acceptance was just a formality." He chuckles. "But yes, I'm glad she chose to accept. She's good for you. Good for the pack."
"Thank you. That means a lot, coming from you."
"Will you want a ceremony? The pack will expect it."
"Yes. But give us a few days to settle into this, to figure out the logistics." I glance at Ava, who's listening while she texts on her own phone. "Maybe next weekend? Enough time to plan but not so long that rumors get out of hand."
"Next weekend works. I'll start making arrangements." Gregory pauses. "And Hunter? I'm proud of you. The way you handled Marcus, the way you've navigated all of this. You’re a worthy Alpha."
The words hit deeper than I expected. "Thank you, Gregory. That means everything."
After we hang up, Ava looks up from her phone. "Dr. Venkatesan is open to a remote arrangement. She says my work here is valuable enough to justify it, and Clemson is moving toward more flexible faculty arrangements anyway."
"That's great news."
"She does want me to come back for one week per semester to teach and present research.
And I'll need to maintain publications. But otherwise, I can work from here.
Probably teach an online class or two next semester as well.
" She sets down her phone, looking pleased.
"I can't believe this is actually working out. "
"It is. It's all working out." I pull her close. "Because we're making it work. Together."
The rest of the morning passes in a blur of calls and texts and planning. Caleb and Rachel come over in the afternoon, and Rachel does indeed scream when we confirm the bond is complete.
"I knew it!" she says, hugging Ava tightly. "I knew from the moment I saw you two together that this was it."
"You did not," Caleb argues. "You told me you thought Hunter was going to scare her off within a week."
"I said that because I wanted you to help keep them together! Obviously it worked." She pulls back to look at Ava. "How are you feeling? Is the bond overwhelming? Can you sense his emotions?"
"Yes, and it's... a lot. But good. Really good." Ava glances at me. "Though I'm still figuring out how to filter it. Right now I can feel everything he feels, and it's kind of intense."
"It gets easier," Rachel assures her. "Give it a few days and you'll learn to tune it down to a background awareness instead of a constant stream."
We spend the afternoon talking through logistics of the upcoming ceremony, Ava's role as Luna, and how to handle the pack's expectations. Rachel has opinions on everything, from what Ava should wear to how the ceremony should be structured.
By the time they leave, I'm exhausted again, but in a good way. The kind of tired that comes from planning a future instead of fighting for survival.
That night, as Ava and I settle into bed again, she turns to me with a thoughtful expression.
"This is real, isn't it? This is actually happening."
"It is. Having second thoughts?"
"No. Not at all." She curls against me, her hand finding mine. "Just... processing. Twenty-four hours ago I was terrified of losing you. Now we're bonded mates planning a ceremony and figuring out how to merge our lives together. It's a lot."
"Too much?"
"No. Just right." She lifts our joined hands, studying them in the dim light. "I love you, Hunter. And I'm excited about our future. All of it."
"I love you too." I kiss her gently. "And Ava? Thank you. For choosing this crazy, complicated, wonderful life with me."
"Thank you for being worth choosing."
We fall asleep wrapped around each other, the mate bond humming contentedly between us, and for the first time in weeks, I don't have nightmares about challenges or threats or losing her.
Because she's mine. And I'm hers.
And nothing is going to change that.