Chapter 0389

A single tear traced down her cheek before she closed her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. Victor placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "We'll return tomorrow to see how you're doing. For now, focus on resting and regaining your strength."

Back at Blackthorn Manor, I headed straight for the kitchens to assess the day's progress. Several omegas kept glancing my way before quickly looking down at their tasks.

"Is there something on your minds?" I addressed the room.

Rosalind stepped forward, twisting her apron in nervous hands. "Luna, we were wondering... about the Nightshade Pack gathering. Did you confirm if omegas could attend?"

"Of course," I assured them. "Luna Seraphina was delighted at the prospect of more attendees. There's no need for concern." Yet their tense postures didn't relax.

Victor moved beside me, his presence commanding attention. "What's really troubling you?"

Isabelle answered when Rosalind hesitated. "We're afraid to visit another pack without ranked members present. What if... what if they refuse to let us leave?"

The entire kitchen staff nodded in agreement. I exchanged a glance with Victor before responding.

"That settles it then. I'll personally accompany you to Nightshade next weekend." The transformation was immediate - shoulders relaxed, eyes brightened with hope at the chance to find their destined mates.

Over the following week, Theodore and Rosalind made slow but steady recoveries. Theodore lost his leg in the attack, but Rosalind kept her eye despite the permanent scars marking her face. By week's end, we'd moved Rosalind and their children into the manor as construction freed up more rooms.

Rosalind had been her previous pack's smokehouse master. Victor wasted no time acquiring equipment to establish our own smokehouse, allowing more frequent hunting expeditions with proper meat preservation methods.

News of my attendance at Nightshade's gathering spread quickly. Thirty omegas signed up, bringing our delegation to eighty. Seraphina was thrilled about both the increased numbers and my participation, suggesting we practice enhancing our Guardian abilities beforehand.

Victor remained behind to oversee reconstruction while I led our group to Nightshade territory. The breathtaking waterfalls and panoramic views from the cliffs took my breath away - my first visit proved more stunning than described.

The gathering proved wildly successful with twenty-six mating pairs found - fifty-two wolves united. Fifteen were our omegas. Of the remaining matches, six were warriors and five workers, including our head gardener who mated with a Nightshade warrior. She decided to relocate, eager to establish gardens for her new pack. Surprisingly, most warriors chose to stay with Blackthorn, drawn by the opportunity to build new homes and lives. Their mates agreed readily.

As expected, our omegas were reluctant to leave Blackthorn. Five faced difficult decisions when mated to high-ranking Nightshade warriors. Similar conflicts arose for our workers matched with warriors from other packs.

Adrian, Evelyn, Sebastian, Seraphina, Victor and I convened to establish a solution: newly mated pairs would spend alternating weeks in each pack before deciding permanently.

I insisted both Alphas publicly guarantee no forced allegiances. Additionally, I reminded them Victor and I would return to Blackthorn in a week, offering transport back for any who chose to come. This assurance eased tensions, and all agreed to begin their trial period in their mates' packs.