Surprise and indecision rippled across countless werewolf faces as the news spread. Understanding began to dawn, and the weight of the decision before them became clear.
Public speaking had never been my strength. The searing attention of so many eyes made my skin prickle, but I wasn’t alone. Beside me stood Leonardo, his unwavering presence a source of steadying strength. Surrounding us were friends who had weathered every storm by my side. Together, we had shared our story with the crowd, taking turns to recount the trials and truths we had uncovered.
When it was my turn to speak, I explained the choice I had made-merging the two realms and erecting a wall of pure magic to separate them. It was a decision born of necessity, the only way to save both worlds from mutual destruction. The very link that had once connected our realms was now the threat that could annihilate them.
Leonardo had taken the stage next, revealing a truth that had been buried in the past: werewolves were not originally from the human realm. Long ago, a small group had willingly crossed over, forsaking their immortality for this new world. What remained of their origins was bound within their wolf forms, an eternal tether to their souls.
The story sounded implausible, but after all the horrors the pack had endured in battle, it no longer felt impossible.
What came next was harder to discuss, and I braced for the ripple of unease that passed through the crowd as I broached it. Families exchanged worried glances, fear mingling with uncertainty.
“There’s a chance,” I began carefully, “that crossing through the barrier could change you-turning you fae, just as Chiara, Enrico, and Carlo were changed.”
A lone voice broke through the murmurs. “What about the elderly? What happens to them if they pass through?”
The question set off a chain reaction. Couples whispered urgently, some hopeful for the chance to prolong their lives, others wary of the magic they barely understood.
It was Sofia who stepped forward, cutting through the panic with surprising authority. “I might have magic, but I’m still mortal.” Her voice was steady, honed by years of teaching, and the crowd quieted to listen. I thought briefly of Fabio as she continued. “I plan on following my friends through the wall and into the fae realm. When we find a way to return, I’ll come back here to this very spot.”
Dante joined her, his dark brows furrowed as he glanced toward Leonardo. “I plan to follow our Alpha through as well,” he announced, his deep, calm voice carrying over the crowd. “And I’ll return with Sofia to give you the peace of mind you need to make your own decisions.”
The crisp morning wind carried his words, rustling leaves underfoot and mingling the scent of damp earth with the tension in the air. He continued, “Our kind was never meant to live in this realm. I felt it the moment our Luna gifted me with fae magic. The bond with my element has given me a freedom I’ve never known-a freedom that awaits you as well.”
Leonardo stepped forward then, gratitude softening his face as he addressed Dante before turning back to the crowd. “There’s a good chance that crossing through will awaken magic within you. The fae realm is as breathtaking as it is dangerous, but its magic is meant to protect you. Alpha Carlo and I have been named High Lords, and our kingdoms are open to you and your families. For those who choose to cross, we will provide homes, jobs, and security. For those who remain, life will continue as it always has.”
When my turn came again, I stepped closer to Leonardo, drawing comfort from his presence. “There’s one last thing we need to discuss-true-mates.”
The crowd stirred, and I paused, letting my words sink in. “The mate bond as we know it is a union of two souls perfectly matched for one another. A true-mate bond, however, is different. It’s a single soul split in two, bound across two physical forms. This bond transcends all imperfections, creating a connection unlike any other-a connection that all fae, shifter or not, are capable of experiencing.”
Leonardo’s lips curved into a smile as he looked down at me before addressing the crowd. “A true-mate bond cannot be rejected. It takes time to complete, but when it does, you’ll know your true-mate as intimately as you know yourself. The bond, however, does not survive death. Where one goes, the other follows.”
A woman from the crowd raised her voice. She held a toddler on her hip, curiosity and caution in her eyes. “What happens if we’re already mated? What if we cross over and meet our true-mate?”
It was Carlo who answered, his voice tinged with an unspoken sorrow. “You can have both. My mate bond remains intact, even though Laura isn’t my true-mate.”
His usual sunny smile was dimmed, shadowed by something deeper. I thought of the pain he carried, and though I wanted to protect him, he chose to speak his truth.
As the announcement concluded, Sofia approached us, her excitement radiating like sunlight. “Are we ready to cross?”
I nodded, glancing at Chiara and Enrico. We had given the pack an hour to decide, allowing those ready to follow us to prepare while others returned home to deliberate.
When the time came, only twenty-seven stepped forward, their eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination. Among them were an elderly couple holding hands, their faces serene. A young woman clutched her toddler tightly, trembling but resolute.
“What made you decide to come through?” I asked her, unable to stifle my curiosity.
Her eyes burned with defiance. “My mate is an abusive bastard. He’d rather see me dead than alone with my son. We’ve been running, hiding, but he’ll find us eventually. When I have magic, he’ll never lay a hand on us again.”
Sofia, ever bold, stepped in with a sharp grin. “Give us his name and description. If he comes through, I’d like a word. I could use the practice.”
Her eyes glimmered with crimson light, a fierce promise of protection. And in that moment, I knew we were ready to cross.