“To the woods!” Courtney shouts, marching toward a back door.

Roderick meets our stares across the room, and I pick up a grimace on his face in response to my friend’s high-handed ways.

But Warner and I grin at each other and follow after her, melting into the group of wolves exiting the bar.

Even though winter has loosened its grip, the nights still get cold. Warner loops his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to his warm body.

Perfect.

Soon, we’re in a small clearing, the space lit by an almost-full moon. Two nights from now, the pack will go on a long ride and then a long run. I always miss Warner when he’s away. I wonder how it will feel once this bond is solidified between us.

Will I ache less? Or more?

Doesn’t matter. I still want to claim every inch of him.

A crowd forms a circle around us. The whole pack has gathered. There has to be close to a hundred, and knowing that they’re all here to watch this mysterious mating ceremony between Warner and me has me wanting to hide behind my wolf. But that’s the problem with circles. There’s no behind when you’re in the middle.

“Zoey”—Warner’s soothing tone brings my attention to him—“we don’t have to do this tonight. Not if you aren’t ready.”

He’s misinterpreted my nerves.

“I want this. I just didn’t realize we’d be stared at,” I murmur even though the other wolves can probably still hear me fine.

He grimaces. “Sorry, but that’s the deal. You’re joining the pack, so the pack wants to see you. Just remember”—his warm hands cup my face, tilting me up so I can only see him—“they’re all happy for us. For this. A pack gaining a new member is always celebrated.”

“But I’m a human.”

“You’re mine,” he growls. “And soon, you’ll be theirs too.” He nods his head toward the gathered wolves. “All of them will respect you. Protect you. Some will probably love you. I can’t blame them.”

I thought moving to Pine Falls meant leaving a big family behind. Apparently, I’m being adopted.

And this time, when I trace my eyes over the crowd, I notice the smiles and the encouraging nods. I see laughing conversations between different members and realize that I’m the only tense one in this group. Everyone else is here for a celebration.

After a long exhale, I give Warner a confident smile.

“All right. Let’s make this official.”

Roderick wades through the trees and wolves, joining us in the clearing. He raises his hand, and the murmuring crowd falls silent.