VALERIA

“Aldric,” I gently caressed his forehead, my hand trembling with emotion as he leaned forward and softly kissed my belly, where our little one was growing strong and tenacious.

“I’ll ask my mother about the Selenia bonding ritual. Let’s do it, my mate. I want you to mark me forever—my heart has been yours from the very beginning.”

He nodded, and his overwhelming joy reached me.

I smiled and stepped barefoot onto the ground, enjoying the soft grass between my toes, feeling like I had the best company in the entire world.

We hid our clothes in the hollow of a tree, and I took off running through the forest, laughing like a little girl.

My body shifted, my human legs transforming into four swift paws, dark fur sprouting from my skin.

The little Omega wolf fled playfully from the enormous Alpha chasing her through the ancient forest, heading towards the sound of the ocean waves.

On the horizon, the orange rays of the sun signaled the approaching night.

We soon arrived at a small,