Chapter 171

Theo's POV The celebration that followed our mating ceremony was unlike anything I had witnessed in my decades as Alpha. The pack grounds had been transformed into a festival of joy that seemed to stretch endlessly under the star-filled sky. Tables laden with traditional foods created gathering points throughout the clearing, while musicians moved between groups playing ancient songs that had celebrated werewolf unions for centuries. But my attention remained fixed on Claire as she moved through our people with natural grace, accepting congratulations and blessing from pack members who had waited years to meet their new Luna. Watching her interact with our community—children pulling at her ceremonial dress to show her wildflowers they'd picked, elders offering wisdom about leadership, young couples seeking her blessing for their own future matings—filled a part of my heart I had thought died with my first mate decades ago. She was magnificent. Not just beautiful, though the moonlight c