The clearing remained silent long after Alpha Marcus lowered his head.
The air still hummed with power, moonlight lingering like a living presence around Maria. Her heart pounded not from fear, not from anger but from the weight of what had just happened.
She had commanded an Alpha.
And he had obeyed.
Kael stood beside her, his presence steady and unyielding. Though he said nothing, she felt the pride rolling off him in quiet waves.
"Leave," Kael ordered, his voice carrying effortlessly across the clearing.
The wolves of Stonefang rose at once, bowing deeply before retreating into the forest. Marcus lingered for half a breath longer, his gaze burning with regret and longing but one sharp look from Kael sent him stumbling away into the darkness.
Only silence remained.
And the moon.
Maria's knees suddenly weakened. The adrenaline drained from her body, leaving her trembling in its wake. Kael turned instantly, catching her before she could fall.
"Easy," he murmured, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
She clutched his chest, surprised by how natural it felt. His heartbeat was strong and steady beneath her palm, grounding her.
"I didn't know I could do that," she whispered.
Kael carried her to the center of the clearing and set her down gently, his hands lingering at her waist longer than necessary.
"You didn't command them," he said quietly. "They recognized you."
She looked up at him, moonlight painting his sharp features in silver. "And you?"
His gaze darkened, intensity flaring. "I recognized you long before tonight."
The words sent a shiver through her.
The pull between them surged stronger than before, no longer subtle, no longer ignorable. It wrapped around her heart and tugged insistently.
"Kael," she whispered, breath hitching.
He leaned closer, stopping just short of touching her. "Once I cross that line," he said softly, "there is no pretending this is only protection."
Her pulse thundered. "Then don't pretend."
For a moment, he didn't move.
Then his hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen. The touch sent warmth racing through her, lighting every nerve.
"I have waited centuries," he said, voice rough, "to kneel for the woman the Moon chose."
Slowly, deliberately, he lowered himself before her.
Maria gasped softly.
"You don't kneel for me," she whispered.
Kael lifted his gaze, eyes burning. "I kneel because I choose to."
Emotion swelled in her chest fear, awe, longing all colliding at once. She reached for him instinctively, her fingers tangling in his dark hair.
That was all the invitation he needed.
Kael rose and claimed her mouth in a kiss that was anything but gentle.
It was deep. Devouring. Controlled only by sheer force of will.
Moonlight flared around them as her body responded instantly, the bond between them humming in perfect harmony. She melted into him, hands clutching his cloak as his arms wrapped firmly around her, anchoring her to him.
The kiss ended slowly, reluctantly.
Kael rested his forehead against hers, breathing heavily. "This changes everything."
Maria smiled faintly, heart full and unafraid for the first time in her life.
"Good," she said. "I'm done being small."
Above them, the Moon shone brighter than ever witness to a bond no Alpha could break and a future no one could deny.
The Luna had risen.
And the Lycan King had chosen her.