Page 27 of Red Hood, Bad Wolf

The pack's howls rose in affirmation, their wolf-voices carrying his words to the moon. Through their bond, Rowan felt everything he wasn't saying—how completely she'd changed his world, how deeply their souls had twined together, how the fates themselves must have guided her to his territory.

"I tried so hard not to feel it," she whispered, her voice carrying to all gathered. "Tried to be just the Red Hood witch, to focus on the mission. But you..." She touched his cheek, feeling him lean into her hand, feeling his wolf press close to the surface. "You broke through every wall I'd built. My magic knew you, called to you. My perfect match. When everyone doubted me, you listened. When I was lost in duty, you showed me love was possible."

The mate bond pulsed between them, stronger than ever. Around them, Red Hood magic swirled with wolf energy, creating a spiral of power that rose toward the moon. The wolves' eyes gleamed brighter, reflecting the magical lights above.

"I swear by the moon and my father's ring," Alder said, lifting her hand to his lips, his words becoming rougher as his wolf pushed closer to the surface, "to love you, protect you, stand beside you for all my days. To build a future where Red Hoods and werewolves work together, where no one has to choose between duty and love."

"I swear by my magic and my heart," Rowan returned, her free hand calling crimson energy that wrapped around their joined fingers, "to love you, guard you, fight beside you until my last breath. To help heal the wounds between our peoples, to show that love is stronger than old prejudices."

Elena stepped forward, binding their hands with a cord woven of wolf hair and witch-blessed silk. As she spoke the final blessings, the cord began to glow—wolf magic and witch power combining in a way never seen before.

Their bond flared brilliant and beautiful as Alder pulled her into a kiss that tasted of moonlight and promise. The cord binding their hands dissolved into pure light that sank into their skin, marking them as true mates in both their traditions.

The moment the blessing was complete, Alder's control finally broke. His shift rippled through him, wolf form emerging in a surge of power. Where a man had stood, a massive black wolf now pressed against Rowan's side, his eyes glowing with love and moonlight.

The pack's howls reached a crescendo, joined by Red Hood magic that painted the sky in streams of crimson light. Elena's witches added their own blessings, their magic harmonizing with wolf song in a symphony of unity.

Rowan buried her hands in her mate's fur, feeling their bond pulse with joy and completion. Around them, wolves began to run, creating circles of movement and magic that wound through the witch-lights like a dance.

Together, witch and wolf, they ran with their combined peoples under the full moon. Their love had exposed decades of darkness to the light, had begun bridging ancient divides. And in this moment, racing through moonlit forests with their packs, they knew that together they could face anything.

Their mate bond was pure and perfect and eternal. Just as it was meant to be.

Just as they were meant to be.

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