Page 53 of Rebel for Claws
"Our vision for unity," Alaric continued, his voice dropping to an intimate rumble that sent heat spiraling through theirmate bond, "it's no longer theoretical. It's happening now, today, because we're fighting for our future to be together. To exist."
Vivian's heart slammed against her ribs as the full implications of his words hit her. "You're talking about completing our mate bond. Unleashing whatever power the prophecy promised."
"I'm talking about the fact that we have no other choice." His thumb traced her cheekbone with reverent precision. "Thorne has forced our hand. The secondary prophecy isn't some distant possibility anymore—it's our only weapon capable of ending this war."
The mating of a Silvercrest Alpha with the human magical lineage will create an Alpha of unprecedented power.
The partial mark on her neck throbbed in response to her racing pulse, reminding her of the feel of his teeth, the primal claiming that had awakened something fundamental in both of them. Even that incomplete bond had enhanced his abilities beyond anything she'd imagined possible.
"What if the hidden clause is right?" she whispered. "What if completing the bond destroys everything instead of saving it?"
Alaric's smile held the dangerous edge of a predator who'd finally decided to stop running from the hunt. "Then we'll rebuild from the ashes. Together."
Together.The word echoed through their bond like a promise, like a prayer, like the most beautiful threat she'd ever heard.
Two hours later, the grand hall near Moon Hollow was alive with a tension so thick it could have been sliced with a blade. Vivian stood at the center of it all, her violet eyes scanning the room as the chaos of the past days—her wound, Thorne's public betrayal, the looming war—pressed against her like a storm cloud. The scent of old wood and pine mingled with the faint metallic tang of anxiety, and the low hum of voices filled the airlike a swarm of restless bees. She could feel the weight of every gaze on her, the curiosity, the suspicion, and the awe.
The four fated mate pairs were gathered near the front of the grand hall: Kieran and Maya, their diplomatic unity a beacon of calm amidst the storm; Logan and Zoe, their tactical precision sharp enough to cut through any defense; Damon and Elena, their ideological balance a reminder of the rebellion's roots; and then there was Alaric—her Alpha, her mate—his presence a force of nature that demanded attention even in this room full of leaders.
Vivian's side still ached where the silver-tipped blade had sliced into her, but she stood tall, refusing to let the pain show. She had been through worse. Shewasworse, to some in this room—a hybrid, a rebel, a magical wildcard. But she was also the last descendant of the original shapeshifter bloodline, and that, she could see, was both her greatest weapon and her heaviest burden.
Alaric stepped forward, his boots clicking against the stone floor, and the room fell silent. His grey eyes burned with a quiet intensity, and when he spoke, his voice carried the heavy weight of an Alpha who had seen too much and endured even more. "We're here because our world is crumbling. Thorne has turned against us, and he's not alone. This war isn't just about him—it's about everything we've built and everything we've fought for. And, most importantly, it's about survival."
His gaze swept the room, lingering briefly on the pack leaders who had only days ago been his peers, his rivals, even his enemies. "We're not here to divide any longer. We're here to unite. And to do that, we need to be honest about who we are and what we're fighting for."
He paused, and Vivian felt the tension in the room shift, like a predator holding its breath before the strike. "Vivian Cole," he said, his voice softer now but no less commanding, "is myfated mate. She's the last descendant of the original shapeshifter bloodline, and she's the key to not just winning this war but ensuring our future."
The silence that followed was deafening. Vivian could feel the weight of their stares—the shock, the disbelief, and the quiet murmurs ofI told you soandI knew it.She lifted her chin, meeting their eyes one by one, refusing to shrink under their scrutiny. Let them judge her. Let them doubt her. She had faced worse.
"Her ambush at Moon Hollow wasn't just an act of defiance," Alaric continued, his voice cutting through the whispers. "It was a declaration. Thorne's corruption runs deeper than any of us realized, and it's time we faced it head-on. Together."
The room erupted into chaos. Pack leaders and rebellion leaders alike began shouting, their voices overlapping like a cacophony of wolves howling in the night. Vivian's eyes darted to Kieran and Maya, who were already stepping forward, their calm presence a stark contrast to the chaos. Logan and Zoe were huddled together, their heads bent in quiet conversation, while Damon and Elena stood at the edge of the room, their expressions unreadable.
"You can't expect us to just accept this!" A voice rang out, sharp and cutting. It was Beta Kane from the Granite Ridge pack, his black hair gleaming in the dim light, his face a mask of disapproval. "She's a hybrid, Alaric. A rebel and a magical threat. And now you're saying she's your mate? This undermines everything we've fought for."
Alaric's jaw tightened, and Vivian could feel the anger simmering beneath his skin, but his voice remained steady. "This isn't about undermining. It's about evolving. Our world is changing, whether we like it or not. And if we don’t change with it, we'll be left behind—or worse, destroyed."
Vivian stepped forward, her voice cutting through the noise. "I'm not here to take anything from you," she said, her tone calm but firm. "I'm here to give us a future. A future where we're not divided by bloodlines or politics, but united by a shared goal of peace and survival. Thorne doesn't just want power—he wants to erase us all. And if we don't stop him, he will."
The room fell silent again, the weight of her words settling over them. She could see the doubt in their eyes, the fear, but also the flicker of hope. Hope that maybe, just maybe, she was right.
Alaric's hand brushed against hers, a silent show of support that sent a shiver down her spine. "We've come up with a plan," he said firmly. "Each of the four pack territories will be defended by one of the fated mate pairs, working with the local pack leaders and rebels. We'll blend traditional tactics with new strategies, combining our strengths to take down Thorne and his allies once and for all."
The room erupted into discussion again, but this time, it was focused and purposeful. Pack leaders huddled with rebellion leaders, strategies were debated, and plans began to take shape. Vivian watched it all with a mix of pride and apprehension. This was it—the moment they'd been fighting for. But it was also the moment when everything could fall apart.
As the groups began to break off into smaller strategy sessions, Alaric leaned in close to Vivian. "You were incredible," he murmured, his voice low and rough with emotion. "They're listening to you. To us."
Vivian turned to face him, her eyes locking with his. "We're not done yet," she said, her voice a whisper. "This is just the beginning."
He nodded, his hand brushing against hers again, the touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. "Together," he said, his voice a promise. "From now on, it's always us together."
She felt a surge of warmth in her chest, a mix of admiration and something deeper. But as she looked around the room, at the leaders who had once been her enemies and were now her allies, she knew one thing for certain. This was where she belonged, by Alaric's side, and she was ready to fight for it with everything she had.
TWENTY-FOUR
ALARIC
Alaric stood at the front of the grand hall, his commanding presence drawing every eye as conversations gradually died into expectant silence. The ancient stone walls seemed to pulse with the collective tension of pack leaders and rebellion leaders who had spent decades as enemies, now forced into uneasy alliance by Thorne's systematic purge of their shifter kind.
