Page 46 of Shifting the Flame

Danica's chest warmed at his praise. When they reached the foot of the main stage, Asher leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear. "Ready to close this out, mate?"

The word 'mate' sent a delicious shiver through her body. "Lead the way, Alpha."

His eyes flashed with heat before he guided her up the stairs to the main stage.

Standing beside Asher as he prepared to address the crowd, Danica observed the assembled townspeople. Their upturned faces glowed in the festival lights—mothers bouncing children on their hips, teenagers trying to look cool while clearly enjoying themselves, and elderly couples with hands clasped together.

Could any of them really have sent wolves after me?The thought chilled her despite the warmth of the night. She remembered the note's hostile words: "A true mate wouldn't destroy what he was born to protect."

Asher's voice pulled her back to the present.

"When we opened this festival yesterday, I stood here as your mayor and Alpha, talking about tradition, responsibility, and unity. But as this fantastic event comes to an end tonight, I now want us to keep something else in our hearts..."

As he continued his speech, pride bloomed in Danica's chest. The confidence in his stance and the genuine emotion in his voice—he was magnificent. When he reached for her hand, she gave it willingly, feeling the strength in his large palm.

"Danica reminded me what it means to trust, to adapt, and to lead with more than strength. She showed me how to lead with heart and courage." He raised their joined hands. "We've built something special at this year's festival. Let's carry it forward to the future. Together."

The crowd's applause washed over them like a wave, and Danica blinked back unexpected tears. Three days ago, she'd arrived in this town as an outsider—hired help to solve a crisis.Now she stood beside its Alpha as his equal and his mate. The enormity of it stole her breath.

Asher leaned down to kiss her cheek before announcing, "And now, it's time for the night shifting ceremony."

He squeezed her hand once more before descending the stage with Caleb and eight other men. Danica watched them disappear behind the clearing, knowing they were removing their formal clothes before the transformation.

"First time seeing the flight?" A woman's voice startled her.

Danica turned to find an older woman with kind eyes. "Yes. I've never seen anything like this before."

"Nothing compares," the woman smiled. "Especially when it's your mate leading the flight."

Before Danica could respond, a collective gasp rose from the crowd. She looked up.

Ten magnificent dragons soared above the town square, their scales catching the moonlight. Asher's crimson form was unmistakable at the front—larger than the others, with emerald eyes that seemed to glow even from a distance. Caleb's blue scales shimmered beside him like sapphires against the night sky.

They flew in perfect formation, weaving complex patterns that left trails of starlight in their wake. The dragons twisted and turned in synchronicity, sometimes breaking apart into smaller groups before rejoining the main formation. Occasionally, one would release a controlled burst of flame that illuminated the sky in brilliant color.

Danica stood transfixed, her hand pressed to her heart. The fairy lights strung throughout the square, combined with the glow of lanterns and the natural light of the moon and stars, created a magical backdrop for the dragons' dance.

"It's beautiful," she whispered, though no one could hear her over the crowd's appreciative murmurs.

Asher executed a particularly daring dive, plummeting toward the earth before pulling up at the last moment, his wings spread wide. The maneuver drew excited shouts from the spectators.

That's my mate,Danica thought, dizzy with pride and wonder.That powerful, magnificent creature chose me.

Tears pricked her eyes as the dragons completed their final formation—a perfect circle with Asher at its heart. In that moment, every doubt she'd harbored about belonging faded away. This ceremony, this town, this man in his dual forms—they were becoming part of her world now, expanding it in ways she never could have imagined.

As the dragons made their final pass over the square, Asher's gaze found hers. Even in his dragon form, she felt the connection between them—primal and electric and achingly sweet.

Mine,her heart whispered.And I am his.

Five minutes later, Asher strode through the crowd, his massive frame commanding attention without effort. Danica's heart skipped when his intense eyes locked onto hers, that predatory focus making her feel like the only woman in existence.

"That was..." Danica's voice caught in her throat as he reached her. "Asher, that was spectacular. The way you moved up there—like you owned the sky itself."

His lips curled into a satisfied smile as he closed the distance between them. "So you liked what you saw?"

"Like?" She shook her head, her eyes wide with genuine wonder. "I was mesmerized. You were simply magnificent." She reached up, her fingertips tracing his jawline. "I never imagined dragons could be so graceful and powerful at the same time."

The pride radiating from him was palpable. "Most humans never get to witness a night flight."

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