AFTER THE CEREMONY

The night had deepened, and the moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the forest. The sounds of celebration still echoed in the distance.

the pack celebrating their Alpha and Luna, reveling in the joy of the mating ceremony. But Damien and Elena had slipped away from the crowd, needing a moment just for themselves.

They stood on a cliff overlooking the valley, the stars twinkling above them like a blanket of diamonds. The wind was cool, brushing against their skin, but they felt nothing but warmth from each other. Damien had wrapped his arms around Elena from behind, holding her close to him as they gazed out at the moonlit .

Elena leaned back against his chest, her head resting against his shoulder, content and at peace for the first time in what felt like forever. The weight of the past days, the doubts, the struggles, the battles, had all melted away in the light of the ceremony. She was his now, fully and completely. And he was hers.

“I still can’t believe it’s rea