Dawn gasped. A flash of images passed through her mind – the night of escape, the car, the rain, the stranger – it was him? Her chest heaved in short breaths. He was the one who saved them that night?

"Dawn Wyatt, I would like to offer my Rede'vota to you. Please accept my love and devotion as we walk through life's arduous path. And may Goddess Skadi shower her blessings upon us."

​​

Dawn locked her eyes with his, as each and every little detail of that night bounced in her head. So their fates were intertwined right from that day. She had no control on what happened. It was supposed to happen. They were supposed to be together as mates. She stood bereft.

"Please say yes," he breathed out.

A veil of tears blurred her vision. Her breath hitched. Who was she to stop and be doubtful? This man had hidden that night's memories from her so that it didn't affect her judgment of liking her or forcing her to be in his debt. He had guided her, fought for her, always wanted to be with her, respected her and waited for her patiently until she gave in.

The words naturally flowed out, "Yes, my dear, I accept your Rede'vota."

Daryn's Adam's apple rose and fell. She had accepted. His skin tingled with unknown pleasure.

Gayle and Neal couldn't help chuckling. She had accepted. Even they weren't sure that she would.

Dawn twined her fingers through his and said, "Thank you for saving me that day. I would have never remembered if you hadn't told me," she whispered. Then she spoke aloud, "Daryn Silver, I love you! I offer you all that I can—my love, my faithfulness and my allegiance as we walk through life's arduous path."

"I accept," he said with a smile. "You have made me so happy." Daryn pulled her closer to him and kissed her tenderly. When he left her, the werewolves showered them with flower petals. The pixies fluttered their magical wings and showered them with gold dust. The couple beamed in each other's arms.

The Shaman turned back to the fire and offered it more herbs. The fire rose higher. "Now that you have accepted each other's Rede'vota, you will have to make a blood bond."

Dawn's eyes became wide. Daryn murmured, "That's the next step of Rede'vota. The blood bond is going to open many links. You are not only my Luna, you are going to become my pack's Luna and that means you will have to connect with them."

The Shaman extended his hand and Daryn placed his right hand on it. Dawn followed him. The Shaman closed his hand over theirs and chanted further. He opened Daryn's hand and using a sharp knife, he slashed it in the middle. Daryn stood without flinching. Dawn became scared. Was this necessary? Was this a custom?

Shaman took Dawn's hand and before she could protest, he slashed it with a knife. Blood started to flow. There was a sharp pain in her hand.

The Shaman placed both their hands together in between his. As soon as he removed his hands, two pixies came and tied a golden thread around their hands. They fluttered more magical dust over them. The pain, the golden thread, the blood—it all disappeared immediately. Daryn held her hand tightly and observed her reaction.

Suddenly, loud congratulatory messages started pouring in. Dawn looked around but no one was speaking. Her mind link with his pack had opened. All the messages were being exchanged via mental communication. Her mouth fell open. These were the effects of the blood bond. She looked at Daryn with wide eyes. It was as if her thoughts were exposed to the world. She closed her ears with her hands. It was an exhilarating moment but— no! She had to hide Quetz from them. How could she? She frantically looked around, searching for a clue to shut them all out. When she couldn't, she closed her eyes and blocked out every single one of them including Daryn. She couldn't compromise Quetz's safety.

Seeing how anxious she had become, Daryn mentally communicated to all of them to be quiet. She was a neotide and mental links were very new to her. Had she been a pure blood, she would have known, she would have been accustomed.

"I am sorry, I didn't know that the blood bond would affect you so much." He became tense seeing how jittery she had become. He wrapped his arms around her. "Sorry baby," he muttered.

Gayle and Neal were worried. Yes, she was different.

With their arms crossed across their chest, Caleb and Pia watched her face going red with confusion and worry. Pia scoffed. Dawn was no match to her. And what was this highway thing? It seemed interesting. She had to dig more.

The Shaman announced that the sacred ceremony was over. The couple had to proceed to the temple of Skadi to offer their prayers. The crowd started to disperse, satisfied that their Alpha had presented them with his Luna and his mate. Daryn would be the next Chief of all the clans. They all knew that he was even more powerful than his father. He was after all a rare werewolf because even a silver bullet couldn't take his life. He was practically immortal.

Dawn recovered soon as Daryn continued to stroke her back and hair. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She nodded.

One of the girls near her brought her a glass of water. She gulped it down.

Daryn walked with her to the temple and they offered their prayers to Skadi.

It was past midnight before all rituals were complete. Gayle was one happy man. Dawn had finally come to his family and now if she wanted, if she found out, then he would stand with his daughter-in-law to topple her family and Helena. If not, at least he had the satisfaction that he would try his best to be her father.

The guests had showered numerous gifts on them and they couldn't decline. Finally when they were left alone, they went back to their room.

Dawn was extremely tired. She hit the pillow in the dress and jewelry she was wearing. Daryn crawled over her and locked her eyes with her. He stroked her hair. "My Luna." He pressed a kiss on her forehead. She was flushed. "You did great over there and I can't thank you enough for accepting me as your companion."

She smiled and placed her hand over his cheek. Her mate, her alpha.

Daryn removed her earring, her necklace and kissed her on her clavicle. This was a beautiful moment. She had accepted his Rede'vota. They were mates for life.

She glanced at his bare chest, those smooth and carved muscles and the half crescent moon tattoo. She traced it with her fingers and said, "So you are The Silver Crescent Prince."

"Hmm, and you are my princess," he hummed. "We might have to marry again and exchange rings when we go back to Bainsburgh."

"I would love to do it with you again," she replied in a sultry voice. It was necessary to have the formal wedding at Bainsburgh so that the world came to know about them. Besides, she wanted Cole to be involved.