Chapter 34
Jericho
Viktor’s office is crowded. The Aurora tactical team leads. Kieran and Ember. Tabitha is near the window. Nadia’s people—Merric, Rook, Sienna, Declan, and Briar—are positioned near the back.
I’m standing beside Nadia, our shoulders touching. The mate mark on my neck is visible. Fresh. Hers matches mine.
Everyone can see what we are now.
Viktor stands at his desk. Surveys the room, fixes on me. “Commander Allon. Good to see you recovered.”
“Commander Parlance.” I nod once.
“I asked everyone here to make this official.” Viktor’s voice carries authority. “Jericho Allon is no longer under suspicion for Samien Khalef’s murder. The investigation proved conclusively that the evidence was fabricated. He was framed.”
Murmurs around the room. Some surprised. Others nodding.
“Furthermore, his actions during the hybrid rescue demonstrated what kind of person he is. He risked his life to save innocents. People the Syndicate had tortured and experimented on. With no concern for his own safety.” Viktor looks directly at me.
“You’re accepted here, Jericho. Unconditionally.
As a member of Aurora, if you choose to join us. Or simply as an ally.”
Unconditional. No demands for loyalty or obedience. Just acceptance.
Different from Syndicate. They gave me purpose but demanded everything in return. These people offer something else entirely.
“I agree,” Tabitha speaks from the window. Her voice is steady despite visible grief. “I blamed you for Samien’s death. I was wrong. You proved yourself when you went back for that girl. When you could have escaped but chose to save her instead.” She meets my eyes. “I’m sorry for what I said.”
“Your grief was justified,” I say.
“Maybe. But you’re not the enemy. And Aurora is lucky to have you.”
Kieran shifts near Ember. His expression is neutral. “The Syndicate took three years of my life. Tortured me. Experimented on me like those hybrids you rescued.” He pauses. “But you went in there. Got them out. Risked everything for people who couldn’t fight back.” He nods once. “That counts.”
The acceptance from Kieran—someone with every reason to hate anything connected to Syndicate—registers.
My dragon is content. Not just from the mate bond. From this. People accepting us without demanding that we prove ourselves first.
Merric steps forward. The massive silver wolf who fought beside me at Vex’s facility. In human form, he’s tall, almost eye to eye with me. Broad-shouldered, his alpha presence natural and unforced.
“We fought well,” he says, the hint of a southern drawl dragging out the vowels. “Dragon and wolf. You saved my life twice during that battle. I returned the favor. That’s what matters.”
I remember. Him taking down the copper dragon that had me pinned. Me clearing operatives from his flank when he was surrounded. Fighting as partners despite being strangers.
“You fight with honor,” I say.
He nods. “Anytime I’m staring down death, I’d be happy to have you at my side. And that’s saying somethin’.” He slaps a hand on my shoulder. I don’t withdraw. Respect acknowledged and returned.
The door opens. Ember enters carrying folded paper. She crosses to me. “This came from medical. Kaylin Foster asked someone to write it for her.” She hands it over. “She wanted you to have it.”
I unfold the paper, trying not to show that my hands are shaking.
Commander Allon,
I don’t have words for what you did. You came back for me when you could have escaped. You carried me out when I couldn’t walk. You saved my life and the lives of twenty-two others who would have died in that place.
I’ll never forget you. None of us will. Thank you for seeing us as people worth saving. Thank you for risking everything.
With gratitude,
Kaylin
I swallow hard, staring at the sheet of paper until the prickling sensation in my eyes dissipates. I may be accepted here, but I’m not ready to let these people see me crying. Fuck, I don’t think I ever have.
I read the words again, then nod.
This. This is why I defected. Because people like Kaylin matter. Not as acceptable losses or logistical considerations, but as individuals worth protecting.
“I need to visit her,” I say, looking at Viktor. “As soon as she’s well enough.”
“She’d like that,” Ember says. “They all would. The people you rescued. They’ve been asking about you.”
I fold the letter and tuck it into my pocket. I’ll keep it. A reminder of why some things matter more than orders.
The others are talking amongst themselves, going over the details of the battle. I hear my name more than once, spoken with respect. With admiration. Not with fear, or suspicion. That’s behind me now.
I plan to keep it that way.
Merric speaks again. “Nadia.” He looks at her. “I want you to come home. Both of you.” He glances at me.
Home. Not visit. Home.
“You left after Chance died,” Merric continues.
Voice gentle but firm. “You were hurting. Grieving. You felt like we didn’t do enough to avenge him.
Maybe we didn’t. Maybe we failed you when you needed us most.” He pauses.
“But we never stopped being your pack. You never stopped being ours. And now we’re asking you to come back. For good.”
The invitation is clear. Permanent. Return to the pack she left years ago.
I feel immediate resistance. Not to the offer. To making decisions about her life. These are her people. Her pack. Her family.
I turn slightly. Look at Nadia. Let her see the question.
What would make you happiest?
The mate bond hums between us. Not words. Connection. Understanding. The love growing alongside biological recognition.
She’s quiet for a moment. Then looks at Merric. “I miss my people. Miss the pack.” Her voice is gentle but firm. “And I know you never stopped being my family. Even when I left. Even when I was angry and hurting and pushing everyone away.”
“But?” Merric prompts.
“But right now there are more pressing issues here.” She glances at Viktor. At the others. “Aurora has an infiltrator. Someone dangerous enough to kill Samien and frame Jericho. Someone who’s still here. Still operating. Still a threat.” She straightens. “I can’t leave while that’s unresolved.”
The room goes quiet. The reality of it settling. A traitor in their midst. Someone they trust. Someone who could be anyone.
“We’ll find them,” Viktor says. Hard edge to his voice. “However long it takes.”
Merric nods slowly. “I understand. And I respect your decision.” He looks at me. Then back to Nadia. “But the offer stands. Always. When you’re ready. You’re pack. Both of you now.”
Both of you. Including me. The dragon. The former Syndicate operative.
“You fought like you had something to prove.” He levels a look at me.
“Maybe I did.” I smile at Nadia, whose expression softens.
“Wolves respect honor,” Merric continues. “Doesn’t matter what species you are. We fought side by side at that facility. I’d do it again.”
Direct acknowledgment. No hesitation.
“Thank you,” I say.
The meeting continues. Viktor discusses security protocols. Investigation updates. Plans for rooting out the traitor. I listen. Process. Assess threats and variables like I was trained to do.
But part of my attention stays on what just happened.
Two weeks ago, I was Syndicate. Following orders. Killing for dragon supremacy. A weapon pointed at whatever target leadership chose.
Now I’m here. Accepted by people who should hate me. Fighting alongside wolves for a cause that protects all supernaturals. Not just dragons.
And I have a mate. The bond pulses. Nadia is beside me, her mark on my shoulder, mine on hers.
I touch the mark unconsciously. Feel the slight ache. Fresh claiming.
She notices. Her hand finds mine. Squeezes once.
The meeting wraps up. People filter out. Merric clasps my forearm once. Warrior acknowledgment. The pack says goodbye, promising to stay in touch.
Then it’s just us. Walking back to her quarters.
The corridors are busy. It’s the end of a shift change, and people are moving with purpose. A tactical passes us, heading toward the training facilities. Someone calls out to Nadia about scheduling. She responds without breaking stride.
Normal. We’re just part of the daily rhythm now.
“You okay?” Nadia asks when we’re in a quieter section.
“Yeah.” And I am. “Just processing.”
“Merric’s offer?”
“That. Everything.” I stop walking. Turn to face her. “It feels surreal. Not long ago, I was the enemy. Following orders. Killing for a cause I thought was righteous.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m here. Accepted. Valued.” I pause. “Mated to someone who should hate me but chose me anyway.”
She steps closer. Her hand touches my mark. Possessive and tender at once. “I chose well.”
“So did I.”
She smiles. Small. Genuine. “Life couldn’t be better?”
I think about that. About everything that’s changed. About the people who embraced me despite my past. About the mate bond connecting us. About having a purpose that actually matters.
“No,” I agree. “It couldn’t.”
And it’s true.