Rian's POV
The Ridge Pack arrives at noon.
Their Alpha—Marcus Ridge, confusingly—is young, recently mated, cautious. His mate, Elena, stays close.
"Thank you for coming," I greet formally.
"Thank you for the invitation." His eyes assess me. "Unexpected but welcome."
Luca steps forward, extending his hand. "I'm Luca, Luna of Northern Pack. This was my idea."
Marcus's eyebrows rise—surprised a Luna initiated peace talks. "Elena, my mate."
Elena smiles warmly at Luca. "Nice to meet you. Rare to see human mates."
"Rare but wonderful," Luca says, glancing at me.
We settle in the conference room. Neutral territory, guards outside.
"Our packs have been tense," I begin. "Border incidents, misunderstandings. We're here to establish clear boundaries."
"Agreed," Marcus says. "We don't want conflict. Especially now."
"Your mate's pregnant," Luca observes gently.
Elena's hand goes to her still-flat stomach. "How did you—"
"The way he hovers. My mate's the same." Luca smiles. "Overprotective Alphas are universal, apparently."
Marcus laughs, tension easing. "Guilty."
The summit progresses smoothly. Luca and Elena discuss pack cooperation while Marcus and I hammer out territory details.
"Your Luna is impressive," Marcus comments. "Smart, diplomatic. You're lucky."
"I know." I watch Luca laugh at something Elena said. "He's everything."
"How'd you meet? Human mates are rare."
I tense. "It's... complicated."
"Forced claiming?" Marcus asks knowingly. "Elena was human too. I claimed her during a rogue attack. She hated me for months."
"But now?"
"Now she's my world. We worked through it." He meets my eyes. "Love isn't always conventional. Sometimes it's messy, forced, complicated. Doesn't make it less real."
Relief floods through me. Someone understands.
By evening, we've established agreements—clear borders, shared hunting grounds, mutual protection pacts.
"To peace," Marcus toasts.
"To peace," I agree.
After they leave, Luca collapses beside me.
"That went well," he says.
"Because of you. Your idea, your diplomacy." I pull him close. "You were incredible today."
"We were incredible. Partnership, remember?"
"How could I forget?" I kiss his temple. "You made me look good, Luna."
"You made yourself look good. I just helped."
That night, celebrating our diplomatic victory, I show him exactly how grateful I am.
Later, both satisfied and drowsy, he traces patterns on my chest.
"Rian?"
"Mm?"
"Do you ever regret it? How we started?"
I consider honestly. "I regret forcing you. Taking your choice. But I don't regret having you. Can't regret loving you."
"That's not really an answer."
"It's the only answer I have." I tilt his face up. "Would you want to change it? Go back to before?"
He's quiet for a long moment. "No. I wouldn't."
"Why not?"
"Because then I wouldn't have this. Us. This life we're building." His eyes meet mine. "I choose this, Rian. I choose you."
My heart stutters. "Yeah?"
"Yeah."
I kiss him deeply, pouring everything through the bond—love, gratitude, devotion.
"I love you," I breathe.
"I know," he says. "I love you too."
Finally. Finally he says it back.