Chapter 0332

I never imagined in my wildest dreams that Giselle would throw herself into my arms as if we were star-crossed lovers reunited. Sure, there was a brief moment over a year ago when we were involved, but that chapter closed long ago.

Anger flares inside me. Isolde must have felt it when Giselle kissed me. Before I can even react, Isolde sends her flying across the room, her fury and possessiveness slicing through our bond like a blade. A thrill shoots through me at her reaction. We’ve grown closer during our time on the run, but she’s never outright claimed me—until now.

I step forward, needing to soothe her. Her aura pulses violently around her, crackling with rage. I open my mouth to reassure her that Giselle means nothing to me, but of course, Giselle can’t keep quiet. You’d think after surviving as a rogue for so long, she’d have better instincts for self-preservation.

Then Isolde turns, and for a split second, I see Aurora’s presence flicker in her eyes before she sinks her canines into my marking spot.

The moment her teeth pierce my skin, power explodes through me like nothing I’ve ever felt before. A roar tears from my throat as raw energy surges through my veins. One arm locks around Isolde, crushing her against me, while the other cradles her head as Aurora pumps venom into my flesh, altering my scent to carry hers.

Through the bond, I feel her burning need to declare to everyone here that I belong to her. She’s staking her claim—publicly, irrevocably.

Marking usually happens during mating for a reason. Having the most intense orgasm of my life in front of pack members I haven’t seen in over a year was not on my agenda. Add this insane power surge coursing through me, and I desperately wish we were in a bedroom instead of standing in the middle of the packhouse.

But I wouldn’t change a single second of it.

She marked me. She made me hers, in front of everyone. A deep, unshakable sense of belonging floods me, stronger than anything I’ve ever known.

The bond, already intensified when I marked her, snaps into place with unbreakable force. Tonight, we’ll complete the mating process, and after that, nothing will ever take her from me.

"Mine." Her voice echoes through our mind link as she continues to pump venom into me.

"Yes, love. I’m yours." I respond just as she finally withdraws her fangs.

Cupping her face, I kiss her deeply, flooding our bond with everything I feel—love, pride, adoration.

"Mine," she murmurs against my lips when I pull back. The room is dead silent. Every wolf heard her.

"From the first second I saw you," I whisper back.

"Victor?" Giselle’s whine cuts through the moment.

I reluctantly tear my gaze from Isolde to glare at her.

"Giselle, meet my mate—your future Luna, Isolde."

Isolde turns, but I keep my arm locked around her waist, holding her in place. If she steps away now, the evidence of what just happened will be on full display. Mated pairs might understand, but I don’t need the pups and unmated wolves witnessing this.

"Isolde, this is Giselle. She’s a pack member."

Isolde’s voice drops low, layered with Aurora’s growl. "Giselle, if you ever touch my mate again, you’ll face the wrath of an Alpha female and a Guardian. Are we clear?"

Giselle’s eyes dart to me, silently pleading for intervention. But I stay silent. Isolde is my mate—my future Luna. I won’t undermine her authority.

Leopold steps forward, ever the diplomat. "Alpha, perhaps you and Luna would like to freshen up after your journey. Your room is ready."

"Thanks, Leopold." I press a kiss to Isolde’s hair. "Come on, love. Let’s go."

As we turn to leave, Leopold hesitates. "Alpha… you’re staying, right?"

I meet his gaze steadily. "Yes. I’m not going anywhere."