Chapter 0430

The air hums with energy as the woodland sprites flutter around their royal visitors. Their excited chirps and whispers carry across the clearing.

Isolde and I stand at attention, preparing to greet the fae nobility. Our pack members gather behind us - Alistair with his twin mates Luna and Stella, Tobias still cradling Elara in his palms.

"King Oberon, Prince Finnian. Sanctuary Pack welcomes you." My voice rings clear through the trees. The sprites immediately drop to their knees in reverence, wings fluttering nervously. Even Tobias bends down when Elara tugs insistently at his fingers.

Through our mind link, I question Alistair. "Why are you kneeling? He's not your ruler."

His response comes swiftly. "Luna and Stella show you and our Alpha the same respect I do. It's only fair I honor their king as they would."

Tobias follows suit without hesitation.

"Rise, my children." Oberon's voice carries an ancient weight. He spreads his arms in a grand gesture that would look theatrical on anyone else. But the fae king makes it seem regal.

The sprites' adoration for their monarch is palpable. Though overjoyed by his presence, they maintain an unusual quiet - probably afraid to disrupt the solemn moment. I doubt their restraint will last long.

Oberon steps forward, his golden eyes sweeping over Alistair and his twin mates. "I see some of my people have found wolf mates."

"Yes, King Oberon."

"He's ours."

"Our fated one."

"And he cherishes us."

The fae king studies Alistair intently. "You'll protect my children with your life?"

Alistair pulls Luna and Stella closer. "They're my heart. I'd die before letting harm come to them." The twins practically melt at his words.

"Good." Oberon nods approvingly before turning to Isolde. "Now, I was told one of mine requires healing. Where is she?"

Isolde moves toward Tobias and Elara. "Elara, show King Oberon your injury."

The tiny sprite keeps her head bowed, wings drooping in shame. Tobias murmurs reassurances as Oberon approaches.

"Elara." The king's voice is surprisingly gentle.

She peeks up through her lashes. "My king." Her whisper is barely audible.

"May I?" He gestures to her damaged wing. When she nods, Tobias carefully presents her back to the king.

"Hunters tore her wing off," Tobias explains, voice tight with remembered anger.

Oberon closes his eyes, hovering his palm above Elara's back. The air shimmers as golden light gathers around his fingers. The moment the magic touches her, Elara gasps, her tiny body going rigid.

"Elara?" Tobias tenses, ready to snatch her away if the healing causes pain.

Before our eyes, gossamer wings begin regenerating from the stump. Isolde presses against me, her silent tears soaking through my shirt. I feel her joy radiating through our bond.

The gathered sprites watch in hushed awe, their soft coos barely disturbing the sacred moment. Luna and Stella cling to Alistair, their glowing tears tracing silver paths down their cheeks.

When Oberon steps back, Elara tentatively flexes her new wing. Her delighted squeal echoes through the clearing as she lifts effortlessly from Tobias's palm.

"Elara!" Tobias's voice cracks with emotion as he watches his mate hover before him.

She turns to Oberon first. "Thank you, my king!" Planting a grateful kiss on his cheek before whirling back to Tobias. "I'm whole again!"

"My beautiful sprite," Tobias murmurs, eyes shining. "You were perfect before."

"But now we can complete the bond!" Her voice trills with excitement. "I can be like Luna and Stella! A proper mate to you!" She throws herself at Tobias, tiny arms wrapping around his neck.

As we watch, her form shimmers and expands. The transformation stretches her from six inches to nearly five feet - still petite against Tobias's towering frame, but now properly proportioned.

Tobias spins her around before crushing his lips to hers. I clear my throat loudly when their embrace grows too heated. "Perhaps take this somewhere private?"

Tobias breaks away, blinking as if remembering our audience. "Right. Of course." He starts toward the packhouse before turning back abruptly. "Thank you, King Oberon! Thank you!" Then he's sprinting toward privacy with his newly healed mate.