An exhilarating mix of anticipation and nerves coursed through me as the weight of the evening ahead settled in. A werewolf ceremony. The words sounded ridiculous even in my own head, like something from one of those fantasy novels I used to read as a teenager. Yet here I was—sweaty, exhausted, and apparently hours away from trying to shift for the first time.
Liv kept shooting me worried glances while she cleared the table. I could tell she wanted to say more, but Jonah gave her a subtle shake of his head. That small interaction only made my stomach twist tighter. What weren't they telling me?
I excused myself to shower again, hoping the hot water would wash away some of the anxiety. When I stepped out, a fresh set of clothes waited on the bed—soft black leggings and one of Simon's oversized shirts. His scent clung to the fabric, and despite myself, I pulled it over my head. The mate bond was dangerous. One minute I was terrified of this new world, the next I was chasing the comfort of his smell like some lovesick puppy.
"You look good in my shirt," Simon's voice suddenly brushed through my mind, warm and low. I jumped, nearly dropping the towel in my hands.
"Stop doing that," I muttered under my breath, even as heat bloomed across my cheeks. I was still getting used to the fact that he could speak directly into my head—and that I could answer him the same way.
"Can't help it. I like knowing you're wearing something of mine." There was a pause, then softer, almost careful: "How are you feeling after training?"
"Like I got hit by a truck," I admitted. "Jonah doesn't go easy."
"He's following my orders. You need to be strong enough for tonight."
I frowned at my reflection. His orders? I shook the thought away. Probably just pack hierarchy stuff.
When I came downstairs, Simon was waiting in the living room. He looked unfairly composed in dark jeans and a fitted black henley, hair still damp like he'd showered recently too. The moment our eyes met, that familiar pull tugged low in my belly. I wanted to step closer. I wanted to run. The contradiction made my head spin.
"You slept on the floor," I said instead of hello, crossing my arms. "You don't have to do that. I'm not… fragile."
Simon's jaw tightened. He took one slow step toward me, then stopped, respecting the space I'd left between us. "You're a pure wolf, Meghan. Very few left. My control isn't perfect yet, especially after last night. I won't risk hurting you." His voice dropped. "I want you safe. Even if that means I suffer on a blow-up mattress."
The honesty in his tone chipped away at some of my reluctance. Still, I stayed where I was. Everything was happening so fast—my body, my wolf, this man who called me his mate. I barely knew him, yet my skin hummed every time he was near.
He seemed to sense my hesitation. Instead of pushing, he simply nodded toward the door. "Come on. We've got a few hours before midnight. I'll show you the clearing where the ceremony will happen. It might help calm your nerves."
The walk through the woods was quiet at first. Simon kept a respectful distance, pointing out pack landmarks and answering the questions I finally worked up the courage to ask. Every so often his hand would brush mine, sending sparks up my arm. I didn't pull away.
When we reached the ancient oak tree at the center of a wide clearing, the moonstone around my neck grew warm against my skin. The tree felt… alive. Powerful.
"This is where it happens?" I whispered.
"Tonight," Simon confirmed. His voice held a weight I didn't fully understand. "The Alpha and Luna will be here. They'll guide your first shift. I'll be right beside you the whole time."
I turned to look at him. For a split second, something flickered across his face—something like pride mixed with worry. It made me wonder again who this Alpha actually was and why everyone seemed so tense about me meeting him.
As the sun began to set, Simon stepped a little closer. "Whatever happens tonight… you're not alone anymore. I know this world is scaring you. But you're stronger than you think, beautiful."
I looked up at him, my heart doing an uncomfortable flip. "I want to believe that," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "But everything is moving so fast. Yesterday I was just a normal woman who thought she was crazy. Now I have a wolf inside me, a mate I barely know, and I'm supposed to shift in front of strangers tonight. It's… a lot."
He didn't interrupt me. He just listened, his expression patient. That quiet steadiness made it harder to stay guarded.