In a split second, we're transported back to our world. The sound of Matthew on the ground starts piercing my ears again. I can hear the commotion and turmoil like a war is breaking out in this tent. For a few seconds, I turn to gather my surroundings. It seems like we left it exactly as it was and not a single second has passed by.

King Aiden and I seem to be slightly disorientated. Him more so than me. The medallion has somehow ended up around his neck again. I can't help myself, I take the opportunity of his slight incomprehension to pull away from him. Bren is shouting my name and I can see Ezra and a few guards rush towards me.

A guard gets close to me, and I let my wolf surface. I can feel my eyes turn black as the guard reaches for my arm. I take the opening to defend myself, stepping to the side and ducking quickly. I swipe my leg aggressively just enough for him to fall over unexpectedly.

All around me, I hear too many things shouted at once. A growl escapes my lips and I decide to let my wolf through. She shifts effortlessly, as I lunge towards the guards that are pinning Matthew down. My wolf's body instantly pushing them over as they fall like a set of dominos. Matthew turns over on his back and kicks off the last guard that's trying to keep him down.

Ezra barks a few orders as I'm suddenly surrounded, taking a stance in front of Matthew while Royal Guards inch closer towards us. Matthew is shaking with rage as he hurls a Royal Guard off of Sage. My wolf is growling and salivating just as another wolf attacks me from behind. Based off the scent, I recognize him as Jake—Bren's Beta. His wolf tackles me to the ground as we start clawing at one another.

"Stop!" King Aiden yells loudly causing everyone to freeze. Jake doesn't follow his orders, snapping his jaws at me like he's trying to get me under control.

"Hey asshole," Matthew gets Jake's attention. Reeling his fist back before landing it across Jake's snout. Even in human form, Matthew's force reels Jake's head to the side. Jake's wolf let's out a yelp.

"Goddammit," King Aiden steps towards us. His royal anger emitting through a golden aura. With an unbelievable ease, Aiden grabs Jake off of me, throwing his wolf form over to Bren. "I said, STOP!"

Matthew pushes my wolf behind him, and I suddenly feel Sage, River, and Tyler circle around me. The three of them trying to shield me as Matthew tries to contain his anger. I can see Matthew is mind linking our friends. I can only imagine he's at the verge of asking all of us to run but there are too many guards. We wouldn't make it very far.

"Your Majesty, this defiance of authority is—" Ezra's eyes are zeroed in on us. His nostrils flaring.

King Aiden lifts his hand, instantly silencing his Beta. The King turns to look at us, his eyes landing on me. They soften slightly, "Are you hurt?"

I shift—letting Matthew's body cover my own as I press myself into his back. His hand reaches behind him, gripping my waist against him. Staring down King Aiden, I reach out to him through a mind link. At first, I don't know if I can actually talk to him or if it's only one sided. But I feel his mind open up to me like I'm speaking to a member of my pack.

I won't go without a fight, I tell him honestly.

I know. He answers. You don't have to fight.

His gaze glances up at Matthew who looks ready to murder someone. There are cuts across Matthew's face from when he was pinned. His eyes are hard and black. His expression full of displeasure and a snarl on his lips like he's ready to attack. I can only imagine that he's pushing his wolf back. It would only take something stupid right now to set him off.

The King turns to Bren and Jake—both of whom look just as pissed off as everyone else. Jake has shifted back to his human form—being handed some basketball shorts from a guard. Aiden straightens his back, "Alpha Bren. What about Mia do you love ever so much?"

Bren frowns, "What do you mean? You just said I could have her."

"Do you genuinely love Mia or just the idea of having a mate?"

"What's it matter?" Bren growls, "She's mine."

I grip Matthew's arm as he steps forward, his fist clenched to his side. Matthew's aura is red. He keeps trying to suppress his wolf but it's only a matter of time before he's going to push through. A few wrong words from Bren and Matthew will try to rip his throat out.

I suddenly feel a cloth draped over my shoulders. Looking to my side, Sage has grabbed something from the tent to help cover me up. It looks like one of the guard's capes that probably fell off while they were pinning Matthew. She gives me a reassuring smile, gripping my hand as she steps beside me. Using my spare hand, I hold onto the cape, feeling warm knowing that she, River, and Tyler have my back.

"She's not. She's not yours." The King announces suddenly. "She wants to remain with Matthew, then that is what she'll get to do. Mia is the Luna of the Valley."

Ezra's eyes widen—Bren and Jake growl. Even a few guards look at each other with uncertainty. It must be strange for them as only a few seconds ago the King had ordered that I be sent to Sparta. Matthew's body relaxes slightly as I feel him grip my waist harder. I can't help but squeeze Sage's hand. My breath catching as I realize he's decided.

"Your Majesty," Ezra steps towards Aiden. The King snaps his golden eyes to his Beta. A telepathic conversation happening between them. After only a few seconds, Ezra bows his head, stepping back.

Bren is shaking with rage, "You cannot commit her to me and suddenly get whiplash! She is my Mate."

Aiden narrows his eyes. There's a level of anger behind him that seems almost irrational. Taking a few slow steps towards Bren he says, "Tell me the color of Mia's eyes and she's yours."

I look down to the ground as Bren snaps his attention to me. As he hesitates, I push my forehead onto Matthew's back. He relaxes even more having me physically touch him. Bren turns back to Aiden, "I don't need to know the color of her eyes to know she'll be a proper Luna."

"You don't want her, boy." Aiden tilts his head to the side, "You don't love her. You only wish to expel the pain."

Bren's jaw slacks—he blinks several times. I can feel him staring at me—staring at Matthew. He drops his head, "I can't live with this pain. I need her."

"What if I could offer a solution?" King Aiden's words filling him with slight hope. "What if I can offer you something that will take away the pain?"

Bren's eyes start to twinkle. He looks at me and back at the King. I think he's more excited at this than anything else. It only reaffirms that Bren never really loved me—he just wants the companionship of a mate. He wants a Luna and someone who will take away the pain he feels of the rejection. It has nothing to do with me as who I am. I couldn't imagine having a meaningful conversation with Bren over dinner.

"Y-You could do that?" Bren's voice is small. Jake turns to his Alpha, putting his hand on his arm like he's trying to make him reconsider. Bren pulls his arm away, stepping towards the King. "You could take the pain away, and let her stay with him?"

King Aiden hesitates, his arms crossing over his chest. "Yes. It's cruel, which is why I wouldn't suggest it if not for the fact that this is an extreme situation."

"What would you do?"

Aiden pauses—glancing at Ezra while they have another internal conversation. The King orders his guards out of the tent. Almost like he doesn't want his own guards to hear about what he's going to say. The energy in the tent shifts quickly to fear. Once everyone is shuffled out, Aiden steps towards Bren, "I would need to sever your ties to the Moon Goddess. You'll always have your wolf with you, but it means you'll lose your ability to shift."

Everyone's eyes widen and I can't help but step forward. The inability to shift, I could never imagine that. It sounds horrible. My wolf whimpers in my head at the thought. She can't fathom not being tied to the Moon Goddess. Her distress setting into me. Practically yelling, I say, "That sounds like a castration not a solution."

"It'll take away his animalistic and werewolf urges." King Aiden argues, his eyes unflinching from Bren. He speaks slowly and carefully to make sure Bren understands it carefully. "You won't have the urge to have a Mate. Your heightened senses will remain for a while and disappear with time. Your wolf will be there to guide you but even he will lose his power and you'll have full control. He won't disappear, but essentially...you'll become human."

I don't think anyone in this tent can believe what King Aiden is suggesting. That's like taking a piece of ourselves away from us. My whole life, I've had my wolf with me. I'll never forget our first shift together. She's the side of me who supports me no matter what. The idea is beyond painful.

Even Matthew tenses. His words heavy, "You can't do that to him. That's barbaric."

Bren's eyes pool with water and we all realize he's considering it. He's battling himself and his wolf as we all wait for his answer. Jake tries to talk to him, but he just shakes him off. Just as he opens his mouth, Matthew catches his attention, "Bren."

Matthew's voice is soft and sincere. It surprises all of us. I don't think he's ever spoken to Bren with such kindness. "Don't do this. My mate rejected me, and it was painful. It took time and it was difficult, but you learn to live with it. I was still able to guide my pack. I'm still the Alpha. You learn to control your wolf. You cannot do this, this is absurd. I can help you."

Bren's tears spill out of his eyes, he shakes his head in defeat. "You don't understand how angry he is. He never wanted to reject Mia. I did that. It's my fault. He's resentful and angry with me all the time. It's so hard to control him, Matthew. It's just too much...anger."

To my surprise, Bren walks over to Matthew and I. Neither of us moving as he zeros in on me. His eyes staring into me with the utmost sorrow. "I'm sorry I rejected you, Mia. I'm sorry I put you through this pain. Unfortunately for you, you got stuck with a hot-headed Spartan for a Mate."

Letting go of Sage's hand, I take a step forward, placing myself just beside Matthew. "Bren, this is crazy." I tell him gently, putting my hand on his. I feel his body stiffen, his eyes looking down at my hand. He turns his over, squeezing my grip. I shake my head, "You can't do this. Matthew is right, he can help you. You can lead a normal life. As a werewolf, not a human."

Bren closes his eyes, tears spilling out onto his cheeks. He takes a deep breath, pushing a sad smile. "I can't. We can all clearly see how much you love him. I don't think I can keep baring it—or at least—keep pushing him back. I just...I just want to do one good thing for you. One good thing for my Mate."

There were a few times that Bren was honest and open with me. Where I could see his genuine side. Like when he admitted to me that he only wants love and guidance. This is another one of those times. My heart goes out to him in a bittersweet manner.

With a sad smile he creates circles with his thumb on the back of my hand. Staring down he recites sadly, "Your eyes are brown. Your favorite color is green. You like Star Trek more than Star Wars. You hate taking care of plants so you have Lego flowers. You only ever laughed when Clara was around. Back home, on sunny days you'd go on runs to the Blue Pond and on clear nights you would sit on Clara's roof to look at the stars."

My jaw slacks and I can't believe what he's saying. All little things about me that are true. Things I never expected him to know.

The corner of his lip raises slightly in a sad smile, "You were the smartest wolf in all of Sparta. Too smart to ever really have fit in. I know how unhappy you were there. I know it was never your home. And...I truly don't think you'd have liked being with me anyways."

"Bren—I..." I don't have any words. All I can really feel is pity for him. That maybe—to some degree—he really did have feelings for me. But it's too late now and I think he's finally coming to terms with it.

Bren squeezes my hand one last time before he inches it towards Matthew to take. My heart melts down as he hands me over to Matthew. He meets Matthew's eyes, both of them sharing one moment that isn't tainted by rage.

"I know you'll love her more than I ever can," Bren says as soon as Matthew is holding my hand. He turns to the King before Matthew can say anything, "Do it. Sever the tie."

Aiden doesn't hesitate, he nods towards Ezra, orders given out like a true man in action. "Ezra, prepare three of our best warriors to escort Bren to the Palace. Let them run back together and...take the long way. Bren has the right to enjoy his last run as a wolf."

"What about my pack?" Bren asks quickly while Jake looks as paled as a ghost. "What will happen to Sparta?"

Just as he says those words, a few guards walk in with Clara. We all turn to look at her—she looks caught in the headlights. Walking into a lion's den and being petrified in place. I must not be the only one that completely forgot that King Aiden had sent for her. She's grinding her hands together—nervously looking between Bren and Jake and Sage and me.

"You must be Clara." King Aiden smiles gently to her.

Her eyes widen and she bows slightly, "Yes. Your Majesty."

"Sorry to say you've walked in at quite an inconvenient moment." Aiden raises his eyebrows at the guards who walked her in. He let's out a sigh, "But I suppose we can make it work. Be honest with me Clara, do you see your Beta Jake being suited for the Alpha position?"

Clara's eyes nearly bulge out of her sockets, "I'm sorry, what?"

"If Jake were to ascend to Alpha stature, how would you feel?" Aiden rephrases the question.

Clara's eyes frantically look around the tent. A slight tinge of panic hitting her when she stares at Bren and Jake. Clara cracks a smile, "I'm being punked right now, aren't I? I've entered the wrong tent, excuse me."

She tries to exit the tent, but the guards block her way. Jake growls from where he's standing, and I have to grip Sage's wrist to prevent her from flying over. Clara turns to face King Aiden, her shoulders sagging in defeat. Her eyes staring at Jake who seems to be talking to her through the mind link.

"Don't look at him," Aiden gets her attention. "Answer my question. How would you feel if Jake was Alpha of Sparta?"

At first, it doesn't seem like Clara is going to respond. But after a few seconds, the fear in her eyes evaporates and is replaced by anger. Her fists clenching to her sides, "Pretty fucking bad to be honest."

Aiden raises an eyebrow, her reaction clearly surprising. "How would the pack feel?"

"They'd probably disperse." She answers honestly.

Wheels start to turn in Aiden's head. He turns his back on us, slowly walking to his throne. Taking a seat, he leans back. Fingers rubbing his forehead as he tries to piece everything together. It's almost like we can see the several lightbulbs turning on over his head as his golden eyes glance at everyone in the room.

"Matthew," Aiden asks. "Would you recommend your Beta for the position of Alpha?"

Ezra looks like he's about to collapse. He throws his head back slightly and bites his tongue. Jake's jaw drops to the floor. Sage can't stop blinking and her grip on me tightens. I can't help but smile. Sage would be an amazing Alpha.

As if thinking the same way, Matthew's lip curls into a small grin. His eyes beaming with pride as his back straightens slightly. "Sage would make an amazing Alpha."

"She's a woman. And she's not even from our pack." Jake argues furiously. He turns to Bren, but Bren is basically levitating on another universe. His eyes are staring past the King, and I think at this point he frankly couldn't care less. He's too busy thinking of the fact that he'll be human. Coming to terms with that must be traumatic enough.

"I am." Clara speaks up defiantly. "I can help Sage run Sparta. My parents live there. I've grown up there."

Clara looks excited and perks up as soon as she looks at Sage. The energy between them glistering like magic. It's in this moment, where they're staring so deeply into one another that everyone in the room watches a silver glaze spread over Clara and Sage's eyes. Their breaths catching as their mate bond suddenly takes into effect.

The Glaze, my wolf purrs happily. My heart warms at the sight. Matthew and I gossiped that they were mates and Clara even alluded to it. But seeing it now doesn't make it any less special.

"For the love of the Goddess," Ezra exhales into the sky. I can only imagine that Ezra is a very calculated and analytical person. This little telenovela here must be driving him insane. "What's next?"

Aiden can't help it and chuckles. A newfound twinkle in his smile as he gazes between Clara and Sage. "Very well," He sits up straight. His hand sitting on the hilt of his sword. "Bren, you will be escorted to the palace. Jake, you can choose to return to your pack or remain by Bren's side. That is up to you. Beta Sage, I recommend you return to Sparta alongside your mate...Miss Clara. I will send my third in command to Sparta to be with you and ensure a smooth transition. Once the pack has accepted you as their Alpha, you will pledge your loyalty to me at the palace and receive a rather hasty crash course before your ascent to Alpha title. I suggest you get moving."

King Aiden snaps his fingers and everything around us starts moving. A few guards coming in to take Bren. He excuses himself as he steps out of the tent, not even glancing our way. Sage turns to Matthew, her eyes wide with panic, "Are you crazy?"

"You're going to be great," Matthew beams with pride. He places a kiss on her forehead but she's too shocked to even register it. "You know you can call me at any moment."

Sage is too shocked to even process anything. A glimmer of sadness crosses her face as she looks between Matthew and I. Pulling us both into a hug, she squeezes us tightly. "I'm going to miss you guys."

"If you don't like it," I tell her with a smile. "You can always run away to the Valley."

Letting out a small laugh, she squeezes me tightly. Turning to Matthew, I can tell they're both trying not to get emotional. They've been each other's rocks for so long. But they both know it's not a goodbye and Sage will make a fantastic Alpha.

"What the hell are you going to do without a Beta?" She tries to lighten the mood.

"Well, I suppose your brother still doesn't want it," Matthew looks over his shoulder. River makes a look of disgust like he's smelled something sour. Matthew's eyebrows raise in Tyler's direction. He cocks his head to the side, calling Tyler up.

Tyler's face stills and starts to panic slightly, "M-Me? Beta?"

"Why not?" Matthew smirks his infectious grin. "You already sleep on my couch and eat all my food. Might as well give you the official room."

Tyler's mouth drops and he becomes a stuttering mess that has me letting out a small giggle. "I-I would be h-honored, A-Alpha."

Sage smirks, giving a wink at Tyler. "Good luck filling my shoes."

Trying to avoid getting too emotional, she hugs Matthew once again promising to call him as soon as she's in Sparta. Then Sage runs over to Clara, picking her up gleefully in a hug. They share a passionate kiss, laughing together in harmony. King Aiden snaps his fingers once again and a few guards escort them out of the tent.

Aiden places his hands behind his back, glancing at the rest of us that remain. "I'd like to speak to the two love birds. Privately."

Everyone bows their head to the King, clearing the tent rather swiftly. As soon as Ezra is the last one to step out, Matthew turns to me, not giving a single thought of Aiden standing by his throne. Matthew lifts me in an embrace. Pulling my body as close to him as possible and he places long kisses on my cheeks and forehead.

"Mia, you're mine." He says against my ear as he hugs me tightly. I feel him squeeze me once, relief flooding through him in the form of a content sigh. And I can't help but feel emotional as well. All this stress leaving my body like my adrenaline has been on high. "All mine, gorgeous."

I pull slightly away, brushing my thumb on Matthew's beautiful face. The small gesture making his aura glow. He places his forehead against mine, his wolf so unbelievably joyous. His eyes so green and full of hope. Both of us at the verge of tears as if we've won a war.

I would have started a crusade for you, Matthew tells me through the mind link.

I know, I try not to think about his statement too hard. Now knowing full well, he would have. Instead, I press my lips against his. Letting a tender kiss seal us in the moment. Letting my lips remind him that I'm not going anywhere.

Matthew pulls the cape closer around me. One arm tightening while the other strokes my hair. I bury my face into the crook of his neck, inhaling the amberwood and coffee and books. It feels just like home. My wolf calming down instantly as she whines in my head to tell him about our pup.

"Matthew..." King Aiden says to get our attention. There's remorse behind his expression as Matthew glares at his friend. At the King. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Matthew practically growls. I crinkle his shirt under my hand trying to get him to calm down. There's no need to be angry anymore. "Sorry doesn't erase the feeling of having the person you love ripped from your arms. Or having your goons restrain me on the ground, Aiden."

"I know—"

"What the hell were you thinking?" Matthew frowns as a more important question seems to strike him, "And why'd you change your mind?"

I feel King Aiden knock against my mind link, letting him in briefly. I'm assuming I shouldn't mention you're pregnant?

I turn over my shoulder to meet his golden gaze. Shaking my head softly but the small movement doesn't go unnoticed by Matthew. He looks down at me, his eyebrows furrowing at Aiden and I's interaction.

You can't tell him of what we saw in the Foretell, Aiden's voice rings in my head. It can change the course of time. If people know what their futures hold.

I won't.

Aiden nods once, his eyes looking back at Matthew. "Mia will tell you why I changed my mind. She's quite special, you know? I see why you both fit so well together."

Matthew purses his lips, his facial expressions still unforgiving. "Aiden...do you honestly think I can forgive you so easily for nearly taking her from me? You have no idea what you just did to my wolf and me. We wanted to kill you, Aiden."

There's a tinge of pain behind Aiden's golden eyes. It reminds me of the look he had when he saw Matthew bleeding out on the ground. Aiden pushes a small smile, suppressing the disturbing image from the Foretell.

"I want to make it up to you." Aiden says, his smile sincere. "To the both of you."

I shake my head, "It's alright. I'm happy just to be going back home."

The thought of my library, my house, my kitchen, the lake. All of it warms me to my core. I just want to lay in bed and read books with Matthew. Listen to him play his guitar. Teach classes at the university. I can finally have something normal. Something that doesn't need to be tainted by worry or stress. It may sound mundane, but Goddess, does mundane sound so amazing right now.

I smile at Aiden, "I forgive you, Aiden. It's alright."

Matthew reels slightly, looking down at me like I've gone insane. "You can't possibly—"

"I do." I nod lightly. "I forgive him."

The truth is I truly do. He still had the chance to send me to Sparta. He could have easily chosen to force me to be with Bren. Sending me to my obvious death. He could have picked to defeat the Rebellion and be known as Aiden the Annihilator. Instead, he chose to be loved. To be adored. To be surrounded by friends and family instead of fear and seclusion. It may have seemed like an obvious choice, but whatever he saw in the Foretell his first time there was clearly enough to make him doubt his choice and compromise his lifelong friendships.

"Well, that only makes one of us." Matthew frowns.

"If you let me..." Aiden steps towards us. He's fidgeting with his ring—the wolf ring that looks just like Matthew's. "I would like to throw a ceremony for you both."

Matthew scowls, "A party isn't going to do anything."

"Not a party." Aiden's smile is softer than normal. The one he only seems to show when no one is around. "An intimate ceremony. Just the two of you. I know a way I can bind you to one another."

Bind us? My wolf asks. Matthew seems skeptical, his expression unmoving.

"What do you mean?" My curiosity getting the better of me.

"It's not unheard of having a second chance. A second mate." Aiden explains. His words resonating with what I read once to Matthew. "The forging of mates is very improbable, but not impossible. It has to be done when you're touched by the Moon. I know precisely what that means. And I have a strong feeling it'll work between the two of you."

My wolf starts howling in my head. Excitement running through her like electricity. "You're saying..."

King Aiden smiles, glancing between Matthew and me. "I can make you Mates. Officially. With the tingles and all."

A/N: Please comment ^-^ Only a few chapters left! How we feeling?