Chapter twelve

Alpha Damon’s lips curve into a subtle smile as his gaze lingers on the lush floral arrangements he personally adorns on the patio where he will stand with Princess Lana for the marking ritual.

In the lineage of the Blackthorne family, marking a mate is an unusual act. The profound connections—spiritual, emotional, and magnetic pull of attraction—developed through marking a mate, and the corresponding clinginess from the marked mate is considered a departure from the traditional beliefs of strength in his family.

“Is that a smile I see on your face, Alpha?” He hears a familiar hoarse voice raise a question behind him, and he turns to find his cousin, Declan, a step away from him.

Damon clears his throat, shifts in his stance, and glances around to see that some Pack member has arrived to help out in the preparation. “Where are the Elders? I made myself clear that I want every eye that can see to witness the marking ritual.” He asserts in a cold indifferent voice.

Declan looks at hi