Page 63 of Alien Huntsman

“Korrin,” Seren prompted, “speak your vow to your mate.”

Korrin’s eyes glowed as he held her gaze. His voice, usually so controlled, wavered slightly with emotion.

“Tessa Fairwind, I claim you as mine to protect, to cherish, to honor. My strength is yours. My life is yours.” His thumb brushed across her knuckles. “Before I found you, I was lost in darkness. You brought light where there was none. I vow that no harm will come to you while I draw breath. I vow to stand beside you through all the seasons of our lives.”

The raw honesty in his words made her eyes sting with tears. This wasn’t just a ceremony—it was the truth, spoken from the depths of his soul.

When her turn came, her voice emerged clear and steady despite her racing heart.

“Korrin Dain, I choose you as my partner, my protector, my love. I vow to stand with you against whatever challenges we face. I vow to make a home with you that bridges both our worlds.” She squeezed his hands. “You found me when I was alone, and showed me what it means to be truly seen. My heart is yours, now and always.”

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of happiness. The exchange of rings in human tradition, followed by the Vultor custom where Korrin gently tilted her head to expose her mating bite. He’d told her that in previous times, the male would have claimed his mate in front of the pack. All he did now was to graze his fangs across the sensitive mark—sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine.

The rest of the celebration unfolded around them, but all that really mattered was the male holding her hand, gripping it as if he too couldn’t believe that it was all real.

The clearing had been transformed into a feast hall under the stars, with long tables laden with food—contributions from both the village and the Vultor enclave. A central area had been cleared for dancing and to her surprise, Korrin proved to be an excellent dancer.

After several energetic dances that left her breathless, she sank onto a bench at the edge of the celebration. Her cheeks flushed with exertion, she fanned herself with her hand and watched Korrin as he spoke with Finnar. Even now, her heart skipped when she looked at him—her husband, her mate.

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen you stop moving all night,” Scarlett said, sliding onto the bench beside her. “Happy?”

“More than I ever thought possible,” she admitted, leaning against her friend’s shoulder. “Thank you for helping with everything.”

Scarlett smiled. “What are friends for? Besides, I’m just glad to see you both so content. It suits you.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, watching the dancers. Scarlett suddenly nudged her. “Have you noticed who Seren’s been dancing with all night?”

She followed her friend’s gaze to where Seren moved gracefully with a woman in a stunning emerald gown. His usual stern expression had softened, his eyes never leaving his partner’s face.

“No, who is she?” She squinted, trying to get a better look. There was something familiar about the woman’s elegant posture, the way she carried herself with quiet dignity, but she was wearing a light sparkling veil that concealed just enough of her features to make it difficult to determine her identity. “I feel like I should know her, but I can’t place her.”

“Neither can I,” Scarlett confessed. “She arrived just before the ceremony, and Seren hasn’t left her side since. I’ve never seen him look at anyone that way before.”

The woman laughed at something Seren said, the sound carrying across the clearing. When she turned slightly, the lantern light illuminated her profile, and she felt an even stronger tug of recognition.

“She’s beautiful,” she murmured, still trying to place the familiar stranger. “And Seren certainly seems captivated.”

She was still trying to identify the mysterious woman when a crash shattered the peaceful atmosphere. She turned to see two young Vultor males squaring off near the refreshment table, one of them bleeding from a split lip while the other bared his fangs. Several humans backed away nervously as dishes clattered to the ground.

Before Korrin could leave his conversation with Finnar, Seren was there. The Vultor alpha didn’t raise his voice, but power radiated from him like heat from a furnace.

“Enough.” The single word carried such authority that both young males immediately dropped their aggressive stances, heads bowing in submission.

She watched, fascinated. She’d heard about alpha power but had never witnessed it firsthand. The effect was immediate—not just on the two troublemakers, but on every Vultor present. Even Korrin had straightened slightly across the clearing, though he hadn’t been part of the confrontation.

“This is a celebration of unity,” Seren continued, his voice level but carrying to every corner of the clearing. “You dishonor us all with this display.”

The two young males mumbled apologies, looking thoroughly chastised. With a dismissive gesture, Seren sent them to opposite sides of the gathering with older Vultor to keep them in line.

Crisis averted, Seren turned back toward the dance floor—and froze. The spot where his elegant partner had stood momentsbefore was empty. He scanned the crowd, his posture growing more rigid with each passing second.

When he realized she was truly gone, the controlled, diplomatic alpha vanished, replaced by something primal and wounded. The howl that tore from his throat made her skin prickle with goosebumps—it wasn’t anger but raw anguish that filled the sound.

The celebration ground to a halt. Humans exchanged worried glances while the Vultor shifted uncomfortably, some looking ready to flee, others glancing toward Korrin as if seeking guidance. The fragile peace that had been building all evening suddenly felt at risk of shattering.

She clutched Scarlett’s hand, her heart racing as Seren’s howl echoed through the trees. “What’s happening?” she whispered.

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen him like this.”

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