ASSASSINS STORMED THE PALACE—THEN THE “WOLFLESS” OMEGA LOCKED HERSELF IN WITH THE ALPHA KING’S HEIR

Though the kingdom was at peace, one final hurdle remained between Reena and Jacob.

The High Council of Elders—an ancient group of conservative Alpha lords who oversaw royal bloodlines—demanded an official trial. According to ancient Lycan law, a monarch could only mate with a female who possessed a recognized wolf spirit capable of bearing a full royal lineage.

"She may possess ancient magic, Your Majesty," Elder Vane, a sour old wolf with graying fur, declared during a solemn council meeting. "But she lacks a physical wolf! She cannot undergo the sacred Mate-Bonding ritual! Without a physical bond, your power will remain unanchored, and the kingdom's stability will be at risk!"

Jacob slammed his fist onto the marble table, shattering it down the middle. "I do not care about your outdated laws, Vane! Reena is my Queen! If you challenge her legitimacy, you challenge me!"

"Jacob, calm down," Reena said gently, placing a calming hand on his arm. The King instantly stood down, his furious aura dissipating at her simple touch.

Reena turned to face the stern council. "What does the Mate-Bonding ritual require?"

"It requires the sharing of souls," Elder Vane stated arrogantly. "Two wolves must open their inner minds to one another, merging their beasts into a single unit. A wolfless human cannot survive the mental pressure of an Alpha King’s inner beast. His wolf will tear your human mind to shreds."

"Then let us try," Reena said without a flinch.

"Reena, no!" Jacob turned to her, panic flashing in his eyes. "My inner beast is wild, untamed. I cannot risk harming you!"

"Trust me, Jacob," Reena whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek. "You trusted me with Samuel. Trust me with yourself."

That evening, beneath the glowing light of a massive full moon, Jacob and Reena stood inside the Sacred Grove at the apex of the Citadel. The High Council stood at the perimeter, watching closely.

Jacob knelt on the stone altar. He looked up at Reena, his eyes flashing brilliant gold as he allowed his wild, primitive Alpha spirit to surge to the surface. His inner wolf—a massive, scarred black beast—reared up within his mind, roaring with terrifying force.

"Open your mind, Jacob," Reena instructed softly, stepping onto the altar.

Jacob closed his eyes and forced his mental barriers to drop. His dark, wild energy flooded the air around them, creating a turbulent whirlwind of raw power that knocked several council elders off their feet.

Reena didn't step back. She stepped forward, pressing her forehead against Jacob’s.

Join me, she whispered into his mind.

Her consciousness plunged into the roaring tempest of Jacob’s inner soul.

Inside his mind, she found his inner wolf—a towering, furious creature chained by grief, fear, and years of bloody war. The beast lunged at her, roaring to defend its territory.

Reena didn't unleash her celestial power to crush the beast. Instead, she simply opened her arms.

She walked straight up to the terrifying shadow-wolf and wrapped her arms around its massive neck, burying her face in its dark fur.

I see you, she spoke into the beast's mind, her voice filled with unconditional love. I see your pain. I see how hard you have fought to protect everyone. You don't have to fight me.

The massive wolf froze. The wild, bloodthirsty fury in its golden eyes melted away. The beast let out a low, content whine and leaned its massive head into Reena’s lap, rolling onto its side, completely submitting to her soothing touch.

Outside, in the physical world, a blinding beam of silver-and-gold moonlight descended from the heavens, wrapping around Jacob and Reena.

An invisible mark materialized on Reena’s neck—a swirling crest depicting a silver moon entwined with a gold wolf. The sacred Mate-Bond was forged.

Elder Vane fell to his knees, clutching his chest in absolute astonishment. "The... the beast submitted... Without a single strike... She didn't conquer him... She healed him..."