The valley woke with purpose.
Wolves moved in coordinated circles.
Dragons landed in great sweeping arcs.
Elves wove shimmering mana threads.
Leopards leapt between branches, stringing ribbons of hide and scented herbs.
The whole camp thrummed with one clear intent—
To prepare for the union of their king and his chosen mate.
Kanah watched from the center of the clearing, heart pounding in her chest as preparations swirled around her.
It felt surreal.
All this…
for her.
A human girl who had stumbled into this world.
A girl who had fought monsters, lost her family, almost lost herself—
and somehow found love in the fiercest, most devoted beast she'd ever known.
Owain.
Her wolf.
Her king.
Her mate.
Kanah pressed a hand to her heart, letting the realization sink deeper.
"Overwhelmed?"
Gerrin's gentle voice grounded her.
Kanah exhaled shakily.
"A little."
The elf smiled, warm and calming.
"Good. Important things should overwhelm you."
Kanah laughed softly.
"Is that an elf proverb?"
"No," Gerrin said, eyes soft.
"It's simply truth."
He handed her a cup of herbal tea.
"For nerves. Drink slowly."
She did.
Warmth spread down her chest.
Gerrin touched her wrist lightly.
"I will prepare the mana threads for your bond," he said.
"Your connection to Owain will be woven with stability and care."
Kanah's voice softened.
"Thank you, Gerrin."
"I'm honored," he murmured, bowing slightly before stepping back.
THE DRAGON ALTARS
Yllas approached with the calmness of a glacier.
He bowed his head slightly.
"Kanah. The fire altars are ready."
Kanah blinked.
"Fire altars?"
"Three rings," Yllas explained, "one for your past, one for your present, one for your future."
She stilled.
"My past?"
Yllas lowered his voice.
"Fire cannot destroy what you endured.
But fire can cleanse what you no longer wish to carry."
Kanah swallowed.
"And my future?"
"Fire lights the way," Yllas said.
"Your bond with Owain is not simply instinct. It is choice. Fire symbolizes that."
Kanah's throat tightened.
"Owain will walk the rings with you," Yllas continued gently.
"And I will guard the flames."
Before he left, he reached out and brushed a single finger along her cheek.
"You will burn brightly tonight," he murmured.
"But you will not burn alone."
THE LEOPARD'S PATH
A flash of spotted fur leapt from a tree directly in front of her.
"Kanaaaah~"
Helion landed in a smooth feline bow.
Kanah blinked at the sight behind him.
"A… trail?" she asked.
Helion grinned.
"Not just a trail. The Mate Chase Path."
Kanah stared.
"The what?"
Helion flicked her chin playfully with his tail.
"All wolf mates run the path before the bond. It's symbolic. Fun. Sexy. Terrifying. All the best things."
Owain growled from somewhere behind them.
Helion smirked.
"It means he has to chase you."
Kanah blushed hard.
"Oh."
"And catch you."
She blushed harder.
"Helion—"
"And carry you."
Kanah covered her face.
Owain stormed toward them.
"Helion."
"Yes, wolf?"
"Stop talking."
Helion winked.
"No promises."
Owain grabbed Kanah gently by the waist and tugged her back against him, chin resting atop her head.
"She doesn't need details."
Helion grinned wider.
"She will tonight."
"Owain!" Kanah gasped, elbowing him lightly.
Owain made a wounded noise.
Helion cackled and disappeared into the trees.
THE WOLF KING PREPARES HIS TRIBE
With a deep breath, Owain faced her fully—hands sliding up to cup her shoulders.
"Come," he murmured.
"They're waiting for you."
Kanah looked around.
Every wolf in his pack stood at attention.
They were preparing something big.
"What are they doing?" she whispered.
Owain smiled—soft, proud, reverent.
"They're weaving the Union Circle.
The space where you and I will commit to the bond."
Kanah's breath caught.
"It's tradition," Owain continued.
"The pack creates the circle.
The dragon fires light the air.
The elves weave the binding mana.
The leopards guard the outer ring.
And the Devourer-born…"
He paused.
Kanah's heart stuttered.
"…they stand behind you," Owain finished quietly.
"As a reminder of what you protected.
And what you overcame."
Her eyes burned.
"Owain…"
He lifted a hand, brushing away the tear that escaped.
"You don't walk alone tonight," he whispered.
"Not anymore."
Kanah swallowed thickly.
"I'm scared," she admitted.
Owain's thumb stroked her cheek.
"So am I."
Kanah blinked.
"You?"
Owain leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers.
"My instinct wants to claim you so hard it hurts," he whispered.
"But my heart wants to cherish you slowly."
He cupped her jaw.
"I don't want to scare you."
Kanah's chest trembled.
"You never scare me."
Owain's voice broke.
"Good."
He kissed her softly—
slow, tender, reverent.
Not claiming.
Loving.
When he pulled back, he murmured against her lips:
"Tonight will not consume you, Kana.
Tonight will honor you."
Kanah nodded slowly.
"I trust you."
Owain inhaled sharply, emotion choking him.
"Then let me prepare you."
He held out his hand.
Kanah placed hers in his.
Owain led her toward the center of the valley—
where firelight danced,
where mana threads glowed,
where the tribes gathered,
where the Beast King waited…
To bond with his chosen queen.