Chapter 0417

Morning light found me restored. When Victor and I descended for breakfast, the "sprite situation" became instantly clear. Luna and Stella stood nearly five feet tall now, their ethereal glow undiminished despite their new humanoid forms.

"Lady Isolde! Lady Isolde!" They chimed in unison before engulfing me in a radiant embrace.

I stiffened at the unexpected affection before awkwardly returning their hug. "Oh...hello."

"Give her space, little stars," Alistair chided gently. The twins immediately stepped back, flanking their mate like celestial bodyguards.

"Look!" Luna swept her silver hair aside to reveal the claiming mark. Stella mirrored the gesture with identical enthusiasm.

My lips curved. "You're mated!"

"Alistair and Orion chose us," Stella breathed, gazing at their mate with adoration.

Alistair kissed each twin's forehead in turn. The domestic scene would've been sweet if not for their bizarre height transformation.

"But how...?" I gestured at their elongated forms.

"When we find forever mates..." Luna began.

"We can shift like wolves do," Stella continued.

"Human forms are better for public outings..."

"And private moments," Luna finished with a giggle that made Orion purr audibly.

Victor's jaw tightened at their rapid-fire chatter. I squeezed his arm before addressing the twins. "Do you understand werewolf mating bonds?"

"Alistair is ours," Stella declared.

"We share our light only with him and Orion," Luna added.

Victor cleared his throat. "Have you considered living arrangements?"

Alistair straightened. "Actually, Alpha, we'd like to relocate nearer the forest. The girls want to be close to their kin. Tobias mentioned similar plans for Elara."

"We'll discuss it tomorrow," Victor said. "There are pack announcements tonight that may affect housing decisions."

As they departed, I murmured to Victor, "Well, that answers how interspecies mating works."

During breakfast, Victor mind-linked the pack about tonight's gathering. I confirmed provisions with Rosalind, who noted decreased communal dining as more homes became habitable.

In the gardens, the twins found me again, their movements still eerily weightless despite their height.

"Alistair said we should help the pack," Stella announced.

"What can you do?" I asked.

They exchanged glances.

"We fly."

"We glow."

"We nurture life." Luna brushed a tomato vine. Before our eyes, the plant surged upward, fruits swelling to double their size.

Victoria gaped. "You did that?"

Stella giggled. "It's what we are."

As they moved through the rows, plants straightened like soldiers at attention, leaves deepening to emerald, blossoms bursting forth in technicolor. The garden transformed under their touch, becoming a living tapestry of abundance.

Victoria gripped my arm. "Lady Isolde...this changes everything."

The twins turned, their smiles luminous. "Where next?"