Nova stirred, warm and safe in Fin's arms tightly wrapped around her. She didn't open her eyes right away—just nuzzled into his chest, breathing him in, feeling like a massive weight had finally lifted from her.
But then, without warning, a wave of sadness and anxiety rippled through her. She tensed, trying to steady her breath.
A surge of love—deep, unwavering, and fierce—pulsed into her through the bond so strongly it knocked the air from her lungs. Devotion. Adoration. So raw and overwhelming it made her blink, startled by its intensity.
Was that her? She looked up to see Fin watching at her, his eyes filled with so much love that it brought a lump to her throat.
"I love you Nova. So much it hurts. You are my moon, my stars, and I will help you through this. Let me take some of this burden from you." He said pulling her up for a kiss.
She pressed her forehead onto his, trying to convey gratitude but unsure how to say it. The amount of relief that he just gave her after the hell she had been going through was something she couldn't put into words.
Seraphine's voice whispered into Nova's mind, calm and composed.
Seraphine:I want you to mark him—but not yet. I would like to meet him first. Can you ask if he'd be willing to let me mindlink him?
Nova blinked.
Nova: Wait… you can talk to him through a mindlink?
Seraphine:Yes. It's not actually a mindlink and just him. Xeon will be able to speak with you in return.
Nova's eyes shimmered faintly, gold and silver swirling through them. Fin noticed it instantly. He tilted his head slightly, about to ask, but Nova spoke first.
"My wolf," she said softly, "Seraphine… she wants to meet you. She and Xeon can mindlink each other directly. And you'll be able to hear her too, if she links with you."
Fin's brows lifted slightly in awe. "I'd love to meet her," he said, his voice low and reverent.
Nova's eyes glowed fully silver, her irises fading into light. A beat later, Fin heard a new voice echo in his mind—strong, graceful, feminine.
Seraphine:Hello, Fin.
He straightened slightly, instinctively respectful.
Fin:Hi, Seraphine. It's good to meet you.
There was a pause—comfortable, curious.
He marveled at the clarity of it. The intimacy. Their wolves, speaking across the bond like it was a sacred thread only they could access.
He wondered suddenly—could Nova hear them too?
Seraphine:She can't hear us. Not unless I want her to.
Fin glanced down at Nova in his arms, her face soft and unaware. He could feel her calm now. Safe. And he wondered if Xeon speaking to her too.
Seraphine:Not yet, but he will. And no, I can't read your thoughts—just intuition about what you're probably thinking.
Fin:Good intuition.
A small pulse of amusement filtered through the bond—dry, but warm.
Seraphine:I just wanted to thank you. For helping Nova. And for helping me. I know you're her mate and you would've marked her eventually… but these past two days? I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Her soul was cracking.
Fin:You don't have to thank me. I love her. I want to be her rock. I'll get her through this.
Seraphine:I believe you.But I should tell you… I'm the reason she didn't mark you too.
Fin:Why?
Seraphine:You'll be unconscious. Goddess knows for how long. At least five days. Maybe a full week. The way your bodies react to each other… the strength of the bond? It'll hit you like a tidal wave.
A pause stretched between them. Fin didn't interrupt.
Seraphine:She would never ask this, so I will. Forgive me for being forward. You should hold her Luna ceremony soon. It puts her in position to protect you while you're unconscious and grants her the protection owed to a Luna. After what happened with Jax… I prefer we're prepared.
Fin:Done. You're right.
Seraphine: There will always be pushback. Every Luna faces it. But with Nova, the path of least resistance is the wisest. Let Jax's new mate take her Gamma initiation first, within the same ceremony. Judgment will still fall on Nova for appearing to trade mates, but it will at least show he stands where he belongs. She stepped aside for their bond before she knew you were fated. No one else will see it that way… but this softens the blow.
Fin:Fine. We'll do it that way.
Seraphine: Elders are problems with titles. Ask the one who handled her last two ceremonies which of them are 'trustworthy.' The ones who think they were specially chosen will be more loyal to you and her. The rest will insist on attending. Let them. All of them are snakes in the grass.
Fin chuckled at that, unable to help himself.
Seraphine continued, her tone cool and matter-of-fact.
Seraphine: I advise inviting your officers, captains, and key voices in your pack—those who make decisions, or hold sway among the others. Their presence sends a message. It creates alignment and lessens the noise.
Fin:I'll bring in the ones who matter. The rest can watch and learn.
Seraphine:Great. It's always easier to start at the top and let it trickle down. Earned trust is stronger than public performance.
Fin:Then that's the plan.
Seraphine:If they think she's not from this world now… just wait until they see what their Alpha becomes once he's marked. You are about to become the most powerful Alpha in recorded history.
That gave him pause.
Fin:Is it the same kind of power Jax has?
Seraphine:No. I don't have all my memories yet, but pieces are surfacing. You were born for greatness, Fin.
A pause followed—and then another voice entered, more grounded and steady.
Xeon:My Moon. Don't tell him any more.
Fin blinked.
Fin:How long have you—
Seraphine cut in with a hint of amusement.
Seraphine: I suppose you're right,I'll refrain. Selene really does have a sense of humor, though. All he had to do was tell her she was his mate. That's… funny.
Xeon:That's what I told him.
A quiet hum of shared amusement passed between the wolves.
Then Seraphine's tone softened again.
Seraphine:It was an honor to finally meet you, Fin. She loves you and will not waver.
Fin looked down and saw Nova's eyes flash silver then gold. Then she realized something and her face heated instantly.
"How long was I out?" She asked.
"A little over a day." Fin said, kissing her head. He already knew what she was worried about. He could feel her now more than before. "I cleaned you off because the smell of what we did before was driving me crazy."
She let out a shy laugh. That was crazy. No question.
"What did Seraphine say?" she asked after a moment.
He hesitated briefly before answering. "She wanted to introduce herself. We talked about your Luna ceremony. I want it before you mark me. You'll have all the rights and protections that come with it."
Nova's stomach dropped slightly. A wave of guilt washed over her, sharp and sudden. Her mind went to Jax—his face, his voice. Would this hurt him? Would he feel it?
The ache in her chest deepened, heavy and familiar. Then came the anxiety—uninvited, creeping in like a shadow at the edge of her mind. Her breathing grew shallow as her thoughts began to spiral.
Would she ever be able to feel normal again?
Fin noticed the shift immediately. Her body tensed, her breath faltered—and the spiral began.
Without hesitation, he pulled her tighter into his arms.
Nova gasped softly as a sudden wave of love and adoration surged through the bond—warm, consuming, powerful. It pushed out the guilt and heartache in one sweeping flood. She was stunned by how strong it was. How he even knew to do that. She swallowed and breathed in his scent, feeling his comfort.
"It's okay, baby," Fin whispered, rubbing slow circles along her back. "I'm here." He kissed her forehead gently. "Jax will be okay. And he's not going anywhere. Just give it a little time."
As she nodded silently, still pressed against him, Fin mindlinked Elias.
Fin: Elias, Nova's awake. Can you bring one of those calming tonics?
Elias: Yes. I'll be right there.
Fin grabbed one of his shirts and slipped it carefully over her head, then draped a thick cloak over her shoulders. He scooped her up and carried her to the sitting area near the hearth, mindlinking an Omega as he did to prepare a bath for Nova.
He could tell her body was still sore. He felt it through their bond.
A moment later, Elias arrived with the tonic. Nova took it gratefully, drinking it down without protest. Fin made sure she ate something too—sitting beside her, encouraging each bite. He frowned, noticing how thin she looked now. Her cheekbones more defined, her collarbone sharp. But given the chaos of the last few days, he wasn't surprised.
When she finished, he picked her up again without a word and carried her to the bathing room. The tub was already filled—steam curling into the air, scented with lavender and mountain mint.
Her face flushed red again as he took off the cloak and shirt.
"You take my breath away, Nova. I've never seen… I don't have words with how stunning you are." He said looking at her reverently. "Inside and out. I feel like I'm dreaming. Finally getting to be with you."
Nova stared at him, speechless. His words wrapped around her like warmth, soft and unexpected. So kind.
Fin stepped forward and gently lifted her into his arms, lowering her carefully into the steaming bath. She let out a soft groan as the hot water enveloped her aching muscles.
He didn't hesitate. He shed his shirt, then the rest of his clothes, and climbed in behind her, pulling her against his chest like she belonged there. Because she did.
The warmth of the water, the scent of herbs, the strong beat of his heart behind her—it all wrapped around her like a cocoon.
Then, Fin felt it—a wave of adoration and love, so strong and unguarded, pouring through the bond from her. It hit him like a flood, and his stomach fluttered with the force of it. Powerful.
He smiled, kissed her temple, and whispered:
"I love you, Nova. My moon. My sun. My whole world."
Their bodies relaxed together in the water, limbs entangled, breath slow and synced.
Without moving, Fin mindlinked Aeron, Elder Kaelith, Jax, Cael, and senior officers. He was excited for this Luna ceremony.