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Ahead of us, Selena darts around a tree. Rylan's silver Lycan follows immediately, staying on her trail as she races deeper into the forest.

My Lycan perks up again.

"Don't even think about it."

She takes off after Selena.

Darian's growl follows us.

Farther back, Damian runs with the teenagers and older pups, keeping Darlene close just like he promised. At least until she shoots ahead of him.

Damian races after her.

My Lycan huffs with amusement. Fast pup.

"Very fast pup."

Darian's Lycan surges closer. His muzzle brushes my flank, and my Lycan springs away before he can catch us.

Again.

"You are enjoying this way too much."

Mate.

That apparently explains everything.

I push harder. Darian follows, never letting us get too far ahead. His pleasure rolls through our bond every time he gets close enough to touch us before my Lycan darts away again.

The forest opens ahead. Selena bursts through the trees first with Rylan right behind her. My Lycan races after them, and Darian follows so close I can feel the heat of him at my back.

The cliff appears beneath the moonlight. Selena slows near the edge, and Rylan catches her, pressing his silver Lycan against her side.

My Lycan finally slows.

Darian catches us seconds later. His chest brushes my side before he presses his black Lycan against me, and satisfaction floods our bond.

My Lycan leans into him. Mate.

"Happy now?"

She presses closer.

I'll take that as a yes.

Silver Moon stretches beneath the cliff. Thousands of wolves pour into the open territory below while more emerge from the forest behind us. The teenagers and older pups arrive together, Damian still beside Darlene.

The final wolves emerge from the trees as Justin and the other enforcers bring up the rear.

I look across our territory. Our pack. Our family. Our home.

Rylan stands beside Selena at the edge of the cliff. Their red gems glow beneath the moon. Darian stays pressed against my side, his sapphire blue gem shining beside mine.

Four Lycans stand together above Silver Moon.

Rylan lifts his head and howls over the territory. Selena joins him. Darian's howl rises beside me.

My Lycan surges forward. I lift my head and howl.