Emory led Kane down the long driveway.

It was an amusing juxtaposition that almost made her laugh. She’d barely been back here for up to a day before she left for a secret rendezvous with Rahl and ended up loosing two more days. Now, it felt like a second homecoming, and returning brought back memories of Larc’s death.

As they approached the main house, the familiar scents of her pack filled her senses—pine, earth, and the distinct musk of wolves. It reminded her of safety and family, and of why she’d been craving home since she left.

Kane’s grip on her hand tightened slightly, a silent reassurance that he was with her in this. She glanced up at him, his silver hair catching the dappled sunlight, his golden eyes alert and watchful. There was a elegance about him, an aura of command that was impossible to ignore.

On their approach, Emory sensed Trey through the Alpha mind link before spotting him, Kirsten, a handful of Gammas along with Rimyrth and the first regiment waiting near the entrance. Trey, with his tall, muscular frame and intense green eyes, looked just as imposing as ever. Kirsten stood beside him, arm tucked underneath his, her curly chestnut hair framing her face.

“Your Imperial Highness,” Rimyrth and the other first regiment dragons bowed, swiftly moving to rally behind Kane and Emory.

As soon as she was within reach, Kirsten embraced her and squeezed her tight. Though she’d only recently met Kirsten, she missed her terribly.

“Goddess, Emory. I’ve gone through all the emotions. Worry, joy, excitement, and more worry. Thank Aworyn, my heart hasn’t given out yet.” Kirsten said, and they both laughed.

Squeezing her hands, Emory said, “I’m sorry.”

Kirsten’s gaze flickered to Kane. “This must be your mate.” When Emory nodded and stepped to her side, she curtsied. “Your Imperial Highness.”

Kane inclined his head in a polite nod. “Pleasure,” he replied quietly. “Ultima, I’m afraid I can’t stay. I have several important businesses to deal with. I had to make sure Eilir returned home safely. I’ll be back soon.”

“Of course, Lord Odreil,” Trey answered.

Taking a deep breath, Emory walked back to Kane, and he took her hands in his. “Don’t take too long,” she told him.

“I’ll be back before you get the chance to feel my absence.” Kane kissed her head, inhaling deeply, as if memorizing her scent. “Rimyrth, you and your regiment will remain with her. From this point further, you will be my Queen’s regiment.”

“Yes, your Imperial Highness,” Rimyrth bowed and repositioned himself and his regiment behind her as his mention of “my queen” made her knees buckle.

She smiled into his eyes and watched as he stroked her face before reluctantly stepping away from her. The black swirling doorway opened up, and he turned to it. Then Emory watched her mate walk into it before exhaling a heavy sigh at the absence of his warmth and presence.

“Red, come on,” Trey called. She turned around to face her brother holding his hand out to her, and he added, “we need to talk.”

“It’s great to see you too,” she replied dryly, rolling her eyes at him. Then he smiled before walking over to hug her tightly.

“Never do that again. It was risky jumping into that chasm without warning, but I’m glad you’re okay.” He leaned back, his green eyes searching hers. “Let’s go. Kinshra is dying to see you.”

Nodding, Emory followed Trey and Kirsten into the house. The scent of home surrounded her, easing some of her anxieties. They passed the main parlour, crossed the bridge that connected the annexes, and walked towards Trey’s private quarters in the West Wing annex.

At the door to his flat, Trey turned around to their escorts of dragons and Gammas. “Give us a moment. Niles, get my aunt Kinshra, and Rodyn, if you can find him,” Trey said.

A Gamma moved immediately, and Trey led Emory and Kirsten into his living room. The living space was cosy and elegant, with a large fireplace dominating one wall. Emory sat beside Kirsten on the fine, brown leather couch, while Trey paced in front of the fireplace, his gaze fixed on her.

“So, what happened? You were supposed to mate with the Lycan King. How did this come about?” Kirsten asked, bubbly as ever. “What if this causes a conflict between dragons and Lycans?”

Emory shrugged. “Things didn’t go as planned. Rahl’s regent was a manipulative shrew, and she was the real culprit in instigating the war. She wouldn’t stand for me mating with Rahl or Kane really. It’s complicated, but I think this is how the universe intended things to play out.”

Trey’s gaze shifted between Emory and Kirsten, his jaw tight with contemplation. Finally, he let out a slow breath, nodding slightly. “We need to understand the full picture before we decide anything. The council is stumped. Dragons have never mated outside their kind, nor has any wolf been matched to one, let alone their king. Once we’ve discussed the repercussions of this with Lord Odreil, and can get past their own council disputing your union, we can make a more informed decision.”

“Understandable.” Emory nodded. “But what is so complicated about this? He is my mate.”

Trey folded his arms across his chest in a defensive stance. “Explain to me why we should trust a dragon. What exactly are they after, Red? Why would the imperial lord agree to mate with a wolf now against his elders and what is expected of his kind?”

“Because she is his mate, Alpha, and the wolves did not exist when last the dragons were awake,” Kinshra’s voice filled the room as she stepped into the parlour. Emory turned to see her aunt entering the room.

“Aunty.” She shot to her feet and hurried to Kinshra, who snuggled her in a warm hug. The familiar scent of herbal soaps and lavender filled her nostrils, bringing back the comforting reminder of their cabin in Broiia.

“Hunter.” Kinshra smiled, pride glowing in her eyes. “You continue to surprise me, my dear. A dragon mate? That is remarkable. I don’t suppose the Lycan king is pleased about this.”

She pulled back, meeting Kinshra’s striking grey gaze. “He has no say in the matter, aunty. I mean, the mate bond is—something. But Rahl’s not at who we make him out to be,” Emory said, taking Kinshra’s hand and leading her to the couch to join Kirsten. “The regent was the problem all along, and” let’s just say she isn’t any more.” Hopefully, that is. If she didn’t succeed in linking her to Rahl.

“On a first-name basis with Lord Wulric, I see,” Trey murmured. “Does that mean he actually showed for the meeting and you got the answer you were looking for?” Emory nodded. “Walk me through the events of that day. The timeline confuses me.”

Trey settled into the couch opposite them, his intense green eyes focused on her. His muscular frame seemed more imposing in the close quarters. She recounted her trip into the Davelriden forest with the hunters, her encounter with Kane and Rahl, her awakening, and Seraphine’s manipulations. Leaving out the shadow sect and gods in the fractured chasm, she recounted as much as she dared.

“The dragon elders have agreed to the unification between you and the dragon lord?” Trey asked, leaning forward, elbows on his thighs, his hands forming a thoughtful triangle.

“Yes,” Emory nodded.

“And what’s in it for the wolves? We’ve already sacrificed so much. They don’t expect anything of the wolves after you become his mate, do they?” Kirsten asked, her curly chestnut hair framing her concerned face.

“It will also open the door for interspecies mating with them if their king truly goes forward with this,” Trey added quietly.

“If? You don’t think he will?” Emory cocked a brow at her brother.

“It’s not him I worry about.” Trey huffed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “Red, Dad told me about the dragons and how they still lingered in the empire in human guises because their king was in a slumber that tamed them. Even stuck in their human form, they would never mate with anyone else, only dragons. It has always been their way of life, and for their king to go against it now, it begs the question “why”.”

“An alliance with the dragons would strengthen both our positions, primarily because it has never happened,” Kinshra replied. “This is unprecedented, even for them. We can create a safer future for all our people and the empire. It’ll put the Lycans beneath us, and that is all that matters in the end.”

She sat back, feeling their concern press down on her. She understood her brother’s worries, but she also felt a deep conviction that her bond with Kane was right.

“Listen,” Emory began, “I know it’s hard to trust something so new and so different. But I believe Kane’s genuine, and our bond will only strengthen both our people. The dragons have much to offer, and so do we. It may be extremely difficult in the beginning, but it’ll be worth it.”

Trey sighed, rubbing his temples as if trying to dispel a headache. “It’s not that simple, Em. There’s so much at stake. The elder dragons have the power to kill you if they believe you threaten the purity of their royal lineage, and there will be nothing your mate can do about it.”

“But they have agreed to the unification,” she retorted as calmly as she could. Although she knew it was only because she was a means to the dragons gaining control of the empire. But that was the elders, not Kane.

“He is my mate,” she said with a deep sigh. “He’s willing to break traditions for me, doesn’t that count for something? You speak as though you don’t understand how the mate bond works. It binds us, and this is not about power with Kane.”

Kirsten nodded slowly, her worry easing a bit. “And you trust him?”

“With my life,” Emory replied without hesitation.

Trey’s expression softened, but his eyes still held a trace of concern. “I understand, Red. But I need to see the full picture. If this alliance is truly beneficial for everyone, then I’ll support it. But I need to be sure that our pack, and you, are safe. I won’t make any decision until I have spoken with your mate. This alliance could bring great change, but it also comes with risks.”

She walked over to him, slipping onto the space beside him and squeezing his hand. “I know, Trey. But we can’t move forward by clinging to the past. We have to take these risks for a shot at truly freeing the empire.”

“The past informs the future, Red. It’s how we make sure past mistakes don’t repeat and doom us,” he told her.

She nodded, understanding his perspective. “True. But this is different. We have a chance to create something new, something better. I just need you to trust me.”

“I do trust you. I just want to make sure you’re safe,” Trey told her.

“I am,” she assured him. “Kane won’t hurt me, and he won’t let the elders, either.”

“We must have faith in her judgment, Alpha,” Kinshra leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with affection. “And besides, if anyone can handle this, it’s her. The little daredevil has always been a trailblazer.”

Emory chuckled softly. “Thanks, Auntie. That means a lot.”

“I’ll support you in this. But if anything feels off, you come to me immediately. Understood?” Trey grumbled.

“Understood,” she replied with a smile. “Thank you.”

Trey placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I have to be off to meet the council. Kinshra, your presence is required as well. I’ll leave you with Kirsten,” Trey said as he rose. “If I haven’t told you yet, I am truly proud of you.”

She smiled up at him, feeling a swell of pride. He looked so much like their father, and his words made her feel like a child seeking her father’s approval.

“I will be over later to get started on your training,” Kinshra said as she rose. She paused mid-turn as Trey went to his mate and pulled her up into his arms. “Did your ability manifest yet?” she asked Emory. “I’ve been curious about what it could be.”

She glanced at her Trey, then back at her aunt. “Yes, it has,” she said softly. “Pyro.”

Kinshra’s eyes widened with excitement. “Fire? That’s incredible! Show me.”

She hesitated for a moment, then held out her hand, summoning a small flame. It flickered to life in her palm, casting a warm glow. The room fell silent as they watched, the flame dancing in her hand.

“That’s amazing,” Kirsten breathed, her eyes wide with awe. “You’re truly something special, Emory.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

“You’ll master it in no time, I’m sure. We’ll work on controlling and honing your abilities,” Kinshra said.

“That’s incredible,” Trey said. “You do realize what this means, don’t you? You’re the epicentre of the empire. Whether we stay united or fall as citizens of Morrian depends on you.”

Emory extinguished the flame, her hand still tingling with residual heat. She knew exactly what Trey meant. Her lineage as a Chav’re Ultima placed her at the helm of the wolf dynasty. As Kane’s mate, she was inexorably linked to the dragons, and if Seraphine had truly connected her to Rahl, then there was that complication too. She swallowed hard, her green eyes dimming with a flicker of hesitation as she truly considered whether she wanted any of this.

Before she had returned to Kedar, all she wanted was to be a part of the fight against the Lycans. Now, after meeting Rahl and her mate, everything had changed. For the first time in her twenty-five years, she had no idea what she wanted.

“We’ll see you later,” Trey said when she didn’t say anything for a while, only staring at her hands.

As Trey and Kinshra left to attend the council meeting, Emory swallowed against the uncertainty now bearing down on her. She turned to Kirsten, who was watching her with a sweet smile.

“You’re troubled,” Kirsten said, walking over to her. “But I think you’re overthinking things. You’ve had a crazy couple of days, and now I need you to just rest and do nothing. Sometimes, it’s all you can do to get the clarity you need to figure things out. Come on, and tell me about that scrumptious mate of yours.” She held her hands out to Emory, who laughed as she took them.

“There really is nothing to tell,” she said as they made their way to her apartment.

“Really, the hunk of a god didn’t claim you yet?” Kirsten cocked a brow. “You expect me to believe that? You reek of him, and that only happens when he has” how do I put this delicately?”

“Maybe you shouldn’t.” Emory laughed.

Kirsten laughed along with her, the sound easing some of the tension in her shoulders. “I got you some new attendees. I’ll send them over once you’ve gotten a chance to rest. I don’t suppose you got any rest with your mate staking his claim?” She wiggled her brows playfully.

“Goddess, what are you hoping to hear from me?” Emory laughed.

“How good the sex was. Spill it or I will force it out of you’” Kirsten trailed off as they turned the last bend to find Rodyn standing at her door. “Alpha Rodyn.”

“Luna.” He smiled politely. “Emory,” he said with a slow smile, his eyes lingering on her.

Kirsten glanced between them. “I’ll give you two some privacy,” she said, squeezing Emory’s hand. “I’ll come by with your attendees,” she whispered and left them alone.

“Well, come in,” Emory said to him, leading him into her apartment.

The room felt smaller with him inside, his unexpected presence worrying her a bit. But she shook it off, closed the door behind them and turned to face him.