Nathaly:

A strange peace washed over her as the group move towards the shimmering border. When she had crossed the barrier, she had focused on finishing the mission and claiming her seat on the Council. It was all she's known. But now... she's found something better. Love, companionship, a bright future. 

Nathaly slowed so she could ride besides Kodiak, who sent her an adoring smile.

"Just can't stay away, can you, luv?" He teased. Nathaly cut a scathing glare in his direction, but her anger melted away at his handsome face.

"You'd like that." She bit out sharply. "But no, I was just wondering about something." He made a questioning hum, gesturing for her to continue.

"What happens after?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're the future of the Montague Clan. I'll be a Councilor. We mostly won't meet until absolutely necessary." Understanding dawned and he slowed both their mounts down, keeping considerable distance between the other three. 

"Why do you assume that I'll lead the clan?"

Her features twisted. "Orion won't take it, and you're next in line."

He shook his head, curls bouncing. "I don't want to be Alpha. Orion helped me realize that. I'm going to relinquish the position to my younger cousin, so I can live my life with the one woman who truly matters to me." The breath whooshed out of her chest as she registered her words.

"I'm not sure I can do that." She admitted, feeling guilt press her down.

"If the Council is what matters, we'll make it work. I'll do whatever I need to," he vowed, clasping his hand in hers. "I promise."

"I believe you." She said genuinely, relishing in the sensation of his hand in hers. They crept closer to the barrier and Nathaly inhaled deeply. She could do this. The logic was sound. The mission was to bring the two back into the woods, but it didn't dictate what she could do to help afterwards. Technically, she wouldn't lose her right to a seat on the council. But was it what she really wanted?

"Here we go," Eithan said in a low voice, looking back at the group. Yasmin set her shoulders determinedly, a bright fire raging in her eyes. Nathaly's lips quirked up. The Capulet princess had slowly begun to warm to Nathaly and vice versa. Nathaly could imagine the two being great friends. Assuming they would make it out, that is. Nathaly steeled her will and urged the horse through the azure wall. It bucked slightly but soon adhered to her orders. She shivered as she passed through but sighed as the familiar, warm wetness of the woods greeted her. The inhibitors of the campsite started at her arrival, and of the others, but jumped up to give the news to their masters. Soon, the Council, Alpha Aletris, and Lord Kiaan were all waiting for her. Nathaly gulped and swallowed the lump in her throat. She couldn't go back on her promise to Orion and Yasmin; she had to follow through. 

She strode forward and clutched Kolton's forearm in the traditional greeting.

"Well met." She bowed shallowly at the alpha and the lord. 

"Where is my son?" Aletris demanded.

"And my daughter?" She moved out of the way to make way for Yasmin and Orion, who trudged to their parents.

With their hands entwined confidently. Nathaly smiled softly.

Kiaan eyed their hands in disgust. "So it's true. The Montague has cast some kind of spell on you, daughter."

"But do not forget it was your daughter who committed black magic," Aletris rumbled, a clear warning. 

"She was under his spell!"

"He was dead!" Aletris roared.

"Father, stop this." Yasmin commanded, lacing her voice with a hard tone. Kiaan startled but smoothed his expression.

"Has your escape made you forget your manners, girl?"

"Possibly. But Orion did not put me under a spell. Not of magic anyways."

"You are sick in your mind, Yasmin. Come, let me take you home," Kiaan coaxed.

"My home is with Orion." Aletris snapped at his son.

"Stop this foolishness, Orion. She is a Capulet."

"I don't give a damn about what clan she is from," Orion growled, vengeance in his tone. "I love her all the same."

"Do not force my hand, son," his father warned. Orion stood his ground, digging his feet into the loose dirt.

"Try me." His eyes glinted with challenge. 

"Uncle," Kodiak called firmly. Aletris broke his stride to turn to Kodiak. "Listen to what they have to say." Aletris looked intensely at Kodiak, who didn't waver under his unrelenting gaze.

"Fine. They may speak." He conceded, taking a spot beside Kiaan, who's disdain was displayed clearly on his sharp face.

"I don't want to rule the Montagues, Father. I want to live with Yasmin. My life is forfeit without her."

"And I cannot ever go back to the life I had as princess. You must see. I don't want that anymore. What I want is to be released and live with Orion happily." She snapped her mouth shut, awaiting their verdict. Orion looked hopefully at his father, who had softened a touch. But the hardness in his eyes spoke otherwise.

So this isn't going to go that way I hoped.

"Get them." Aletris said in a bone-chilling voice. Orion whipped Yasmin behind him, holding his fists up. Kodiak leapt to help his cousin but there was no need, as a large crack split the earth with a mighty roar. The soldiers stumbled to a stop hastily, looking at Nathaly in a mix of wonder and fear. Aletris and Kiaan looked enraged as Nathaly widened the fracture in the ground.

"What kind of witchcraft is this?" Kiaan spat. 

"She got her powers." Kolton breathed, struck with surprise. Nathaly felt adrenaline pulse in her veins as the earth bent to her will.

"Do not interfere, woman. You will regret it." Aletris snarled.

"No, I don't think I will." She responded airily.

"Stop this, Nathaly." Kolton said strictly, his wonder gone. "Your mission was to bring them back."

"Yes, to bring them into the woods. But it said nothing against protecting them." As he digested her answer, Nathaly waited. She hoped Kolton would see her intentions and let it go. 

"Then you will not be one of us." He said softly, with a note of finality. A heaviness settled in her heart and she pursed her lips. Yasmin touched her arm, genuine regret rippling across her face.

"I'm sorry, Nathaly. This is our fault." 

"No, this was my choice. I chose it willingly." Kodiak bundled her into a hug, planting a kiss to her head. 

"Somehow, you manage to surprise me every single day."

"You too, Kodiak?" Aletris exclaimed in disgust. "We had high hopes for you." 

"Well, I'm sorry you wasted your times." Kodiak said and Nathaly gaped as he moved forward. "I'm not going back. I'm staying with Nathaly." 

"Then you are not a Montague." Kodiak took a step back but nodded. Nathaly gasped and clutched his arm frantically.

"No, Kodi, no. Not because of me. I'm not worth you losing your family." 

"Never say you're not worth it, luv." He said fiercely before turning back to his uncle.

"Goodbye, Uncle."

"Good riddance." Kiaan sneered, glaring heatedly at his daughter. "I never truly liked you."

"Good. Something we both agree on," she snarked back at her father. He pivoted and stomped back to his camp. Orion and Yasmin ran to the forest, basking in their newfound freedom. Kodiak slipped an arm around her waist from behind and deftly spun her to face him.

"I'm yours," she breathed just before his lips captured hers with a searing heat.

"And I'm yours." He murmured against her lips.

"Always and forever." She whispered, closing her eyes. 

"Always and forever."