Luca's POV
The next two days are different.
Rian keeps his word—treats me like a partner. Asks instead of orders. Explains instead of demands.
"I need to check the northern border," he says that afternoon. "Come with me?"
Not a command. An invitation.
"Okay."
We drive through pack lands in comfortable silence. The territory is massive—forests, mountains, a river cutting through the valley. Beautiful and wild.
"This is all yours?" I ask.
"Ours," he corrects. "As my mate, it's yours too."
"I'm human. I don't know anything about leading a pack."
"You don't have to lead. Just be yourself." He glances at me. "The pack already loves you."
"They don't know me."
"They know you're important to me. That's enough."
We reach a clearing where pack members are training. They stop when we arrive, bowing their heads in respect.
"Alpha. Luna," Damon greets. "Inspection?"
"Just checking in," Rian says. "How's the new recruits' progress?"
While they talk pack business, I wander to the edge of the clearing. A female wolf approaches—young, maybe my age, friendly smile.
"You're Luca, right? The Alpha's mate?"
"That's me."
"I'm Sara." She extends her hand. "Welcome to the pack. We're happy you're here."
"Are you? Even though I'm human?"
"Especially because you're human." Her smile widens. "You make the Alpha happy. We haven't seen him smile in years. Not since—" She cuts herself off.
"Since Marcus."
Her eyes widen. "He told you about Marcus?"
"Yesterday. Everything."
"Wow." Sara looks impressed. "He never talks about Marcus. You must be really important to him."
"Or he's really desperate to make me stay."
"Maybe both." She sits on a fallen log, patting the space beside her. "Can I be honest with you?"
I sit. "Please."
"The Alpha is intense. Controlling. Sometimes scary. But he's also the best leader this pack has ever had. Fair, strategic, protective. When Marcus died, something broke in him. He became harder. Colder." Sara's expression softens. "Then he found you. And suddenly, he's trying again. Feeling again. That's because of you."
"I didn't ask for that responsibility."
"No one asks to be a mate. But you are. And honestly? I think you're good for him." She nudges my shoulder. "And from what Damon says, he's starting to be good for you too."
"Damon talks too much."
She laughs. "He's the Beta. It's literally his job to know everything." Her expression turns serious. "Look, I know the claiming wasn't... ideal. But give him a chance. The real him. Not the desperate, controlling Alpha. The man underneath."
"What if I don't like what I find?"
"Then you reject him, and we help you figure out how to survive the bond separation." Her eyes meet mine. "But I don't think that'll happen. I think you're already falling for him."
"I barely know him."
"The bond doesn't lie. Neither does your heart." She stands, squeezing my shoulder. "The ceremony is tomorrow. Whatever you decide, the pack supports you."
She leaves me with my thoughts.
Am I falling for Rian? Is it possible to love someone who took everything from you?
"Luca."
Rian approaches, concern on his face. "You okay? You look troubled."
"Just thinking."
"About tomorrow?"
"Yeah." I stand, facing him. "Can I ask you something? Honestly?"
"Anything."
"If I say no tomorrow—if I refuse the bonding ceremony—what happens?"
Pain flashes across his face, but he answers honestly. "The partial bond stays. We're still connected, still need proximity. But it won't be complete. You won't have access to my strength, my power, my protection fully."
"And you'd accept that? My no?"
He's quiet for a long moment. "I want to say yes. That I'd respect your choice." His jaw clenches. "But honestly? I don't know. The thought of you being vulnerable, unprotected—it makes me insane."
"So you'd force it anyway."
"Maybe." His eyes meet mine. "I'm trying to be better, Luca. Trying to give you choice. But if your choice puts you in danger, my instincts might override my promises."
At least he's honest.
"What if there was a middle ground?" I ask slowly.
"What do you mean?"
"What if I agree to the ceremony—but on my terms?" I step closer. "I choose to bond with you. But you give me real freedom. Real partnership. No more cages, literal or metaphorical."
Hope lights his eyes. "I can do that."
"And if Kaine comes—when he comes—you don't lock me away. You train me to fight beside you."
"Luca—"
"Partnership, Rian. That means trusting me. Even when it scares you."
He struggles visibly. Every instinct screaming to protect, control, keep me safe in a cage.
"Okay," he finally says. "You fight beside me. But you train hard. Learn everything I can teach you."
"Deal."
"And the ceremony? You'll go through with it?"
I take a deep breath. This is it. The moment that decides everything.
"Ask me again."
He takes my hands, dropping to one knee right there in the clearing. Pack members stop training, watching.
"Luca Carter," Rian says, voice steady and sure. "Will you bond with me? Not because I'm forcing you. Not because the partial bond demands it. But because you choose to. Choose us. Choose this life we could build together."
My heart pounds. This is insane. Stockholm syndrome, probably. Trauma bonding definitely.
But it's also real. His love, his fear, his desperate hope—all real.
And maybe, just maybe, my feelings are real too.
"Yes," I whisper. "I'll bond with you."
His expression transforms—shock, joy, overwhelming relief. He stands, pulling me into his arms, and kisses me.
The pack howls approval.
When we break apart, both breathing hard, Rian rests his forehead against mine.
"Thank you," he breathes. "I'll spend the rest of my life earning this choice."
"You better."
He laughs, and it's the most genuine, happy sound I've heard from him.
Maybe this is crazy. Maybe I'll regret it.
But right now, in his arms, I feel something I haven't felt in months.
Hope.