Nova linked an arm through Amari’s, pulling her closer. Spread out along the path before them, the others talked quietly. Elias peppered Rema with questions, who answered with the patience of a saint. Max vehemently waved his hands in the air, his whole body nearly turned towards Orion. Shoulders slumped, Benjamin tucked his head, quietly talking with Diana.

  Amari slowly let out her breath. Just over a month and her whole world had changed. Scanning the ground once more, her mind corrected, life had changed drastically for all of them. Each had a new path set before them, one she was only just beginning to realize would change the landscape of the family forever.

  Her eyes settled on the young girl next to her. Circumstances forced a trust that worked in her favor. She had an amazing daughter now. A smile graced her lips. She'd never stop working to be worthy of the trust Nova gave her and her family.

  Amari tapped her elbow, drawing Nova’s attention. “What are you thinking about?”

  Nova glanced back around them. The woods seem to have a different wobbly blur, like looking through a clear waterfall rushing past them. “This isn't like last time.”

  “No.” Amari shook her head. The science or magic was hard to explain. Like the human realm, there was so much about the fae realms that couldn't be quantified or understood at this time. Amari struggled for words, her other hand freely stirring the air. “We're in a kind of tunnel. The normal fae wilds are out there. We just are moving through them faster than normal. Like a really quick moving walkway.”

  “So how long will this take?” Nova tried to keep her voice steady, but nervous energy bled off her.

  “Time will get weird so that is hard to estimate.” Amari smiled down at her daughter, wishing she could take away the confusing feelings. Though as she watched Nova’s profile, something nagged at her. She had seen Nova defensive, scared, unsure, and a hundred other things in the short time they knew each other. Life had thrown impossible circumstances at her and she, they, were still standing. Something else played across her face now. “What is it?”

  Nova shrugged and looked out at the trees.

  “You can tell or ask me anything.” Amari twined their fingers, giving a squeeze to encourage her a bit. She wouldn’t push, like Nova, it was the best way to get them to clam up.

  “What happens if you leave and you don’t come back?” The words barely left Nova’s lips. Eyes never leaving the woods, her pace slowed.

  Amari’s heart caught in her throat. People leaving, it was a wound for all of them. Wounding anyone in that way was something she was loath to do. “One day that will happen. Them leaving will rip a hole in your heart. It is the cost of opening your heart and letting people love you and you loving them.”

  Nova looked down.

  Amari watched her swallow hard. “Hey. You will have the others. Our family and pack is bound to grow. You will also have the Alpha King, if you wish to join his pack. You will always have someone in your corner. That I can promise.”

  “How can you be so sure?” Nova’s eyes reflected the greenery and Amari’s face.

  “Because I was there a long time ago.” Amari rubbed the back of her neck with her free hand. “And because I was recently reminded that I wasn’t alone even when I was far away from my family.”

  “I want to join your pack. Polaris Pack.” Nova tugged on their entwined hands. “Can we do that as soon as possible?”

  “Of course.” Amari’s heart contracted as moisture gathered on her lashes.

  The ceremony was just tradition. After so many years, most thought it held some power but the commitment and agreement between the pack, Alpha, and the new member were what really mattered.

  “Orion!” Amari shouted, hand cupped next to her mouth. She waited until her brother turned back to them. “Do you accept Nova to be a part of this pack? To support and protect her as the Alpha?”

  Everyone stopped in their tracks. Smiles blossomed on each face as they looked between the slightly confused but hopeful Nova and the curious and stunned Orion.

  “Well?” Amari led Nova forward. “Do you?”

  “Of course I do.” Orion knelt before Nova, hand fisted over his heart. He quickly dipped his head before extending out his hand.

  “Nova do you, of your own free will accept Polaris Pack as your pack? To defend and support them? Submitting to the Authority of its Alpha?” Amari stepped away slightly.

  Nova’s eyes darted around, her brow raised. “Yes?”

  “Go ahead and take Orion’s hand.” Amari guided her with a smooth wave of her arm.

  Nova reached out and grasped Orion’s extended hand. As Orion stood, Rema placed her hand over theirs. Down the line, Amari and Diana, then Max, and finally Elias placed their hands into the pile. All murmuring their acceptance of this bond. As the words left Elias’ lips, there was a rush of through their bond, settling Nova as one of them.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “Welcome to the Polaris Pack, Nova.” Orion pulled her into a bear hug.

  The group wrapped around each other falling into laughter.

  “Congrats Nova.” Benjamin awkwardly patted her on the back, his words subdued.

  “Thanks.” Nova spared him a quick glance before she beamed at the group.

  “Okay when are we finding Nova a nickname?” Max bounced excitedly as the group broke up. With practiced gentleness, he put Nova in a quick headlock and ruffled her hair. “It has to be epic for the first of the next generation.”

  Nova playfully pushed him off as they all began walking away. Hope in her radiant smile burned away the last remnants of fear.

  Every few minutes a new name was shouted out. Each more ridiculous than the last. Particularly from Diana and Max as they tried to one up each other with each exaggerated grimace from Nova. It all stopped when Nova gasped.

  Stepping through a similar archway, the group spilled out onto a field of luscious grass. Impossibly high walls of sparkling gemstones danced the colorful light across the ground. Everyone looked around in wonder, hands twisting slowly in the air as colors dotted their skins. Near reverently, the group approached the carved white doors.

  The four bound with the Alpha King’s pack dipped to their knees before the entrance. The others mimicked the respectful gesture. Bit by bit, the large doors opened out toward them. Orion stood at the front of the pack, his face breaking into an easy smile as an older gentleman stepped out arms wide.

  “Orion Spesy! It has been too long my friend.” Built like a large linebacker, the older gentleman lifted Orion in a beast of a hug.

  “Gio! It has been too long, but you can put me down now.” Orion roughly hugged the man back once his feet were back on the ground. Freed from the embrace, he turned slightly. “Giovanni, you know a few of my siblings, but here are the rest: Elias, Max ... .and our newest member Nova.”

  “Oh, congrats! Family is the best.” Giovanni shook everyone’s hand, a bright smile popping out rosy cheeks. Without hesitation he grabbed Benjamin’s hand. “And you are?”

  “Benjamin Morningstar.” Benjamin straightened his shoulders instilling a confidence into his voice that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  “How do you know the Spesys?” Giovanni smiled kindly.

  Benjamin hesitated. Silence held a breath too long. Clearing his throat, Benjamin answered simply. “Through Amari. She is my link to the family.”

  “Well, welcome.” Giovanni nodded his head, letting the awkwardness fall away. With a big curl of his arm, he beckoned them all inside. “Welcome to you all. Come. Come. Let me show you around.”

  The immensity of the walls were nothing compared to the lavish courtyards and lush gardens. Impeccably created sculptures and statues balanced with the fountains of the clearest water and molded benches of the large courtyard. Gardens of fragrant plants expanded out from beyond the peristyle. Trees and plants of every color would make an artist jealous.

  Joyous laughter and contented humming infused the air. Workers filled baskets with fruits and berries. Some pruned with their claws in half wolf form, others in full form carried baskets and pulled carts like pack mules.

  “We all share in the maintenance and care of the place. We enjoy the fruit of our labor both literally and metaphorically.” Giovanni smiled with a chuffed laugh at his own joke. “Asseric is quite generous. Many enjoy the food and help his pack provides.”

  Giovanni whistled over to one of the groups. Smoothly, a worker began tossing a small oval fruit at him. As he caught them, he lobbed them out to each person with him. Nova juggled hers before Benjamin caught it and placed it in her hands.

  Amari chuckled at Nova’s hesitance. Digging her nails into the soft, pale purple rind, vibrant indigo juice squirted out. She laughed as she jolted it away from her. The flora sweet scent had an undernote of a crispy tang. Juice ran down her fingers and under her rings as she pulled the rind apart. Little half moon wedges broke open and spilled midnight blue seeds. Amari picked one up between her thumb and index. Tossing it up in the air, she moved underneath it catching it in her mouth. “You’ll like it, Nova. Here, just try it.”

  Nova tentatively tired pieces after Amari popped a half moon in her mouth. Everyone snacked as they walked into the palace. The light only slightly dimmed.

  “Giovanni here is one of the first I met when I first joined Asseric's pack.” Orion called over his shoulder to the group.

  “This little scamp was one of a few that came to learn how to start their own families and from there their own packs.” Giovanni rustled Orion’s hair. “He was one of our best students. Really had a heart for protecting others.”

  “That’s our Rion. Our immovable mountain.” Genuine gratefulness filled Rema’s voice using her special name for Orion. They shared a look of silent history.

  More workers cheerfully over books and work benches. Bright flames and glass containers covered every flat surface. Whisps of light in blues, greens, and oranges barely visible floated from clawed fingers. The excited chatter louder as it echoed off the walls and surrounded them.

  “They made some sort of breakthrough this morning. Everyone has been floating on air so to speak.” Giovanni kept leading them through the halls of the main palace.

  “Are they doing magic?” Elias skipped forward, bumping into Giovanni’s shoulder.

  “Yes. Asseric gives everyone a special gift and supports the growth of it.” Giovanni chuckled merrily at the jubilance on Elias’s face.

  Nova stopped and stared next to Elias. Flickers of magic lit their eyes like fireworks. Their faces were full of wonder. Spinning like a mobile, cut pieces of glass refracted the light like crystal. Light tinkling created a unique melody from the glass like wind chimes.

  “Will I be able to do magic?” Nova whispered to Amari. Her eyes quickly darted back to the floating blocks over the table in a large alcove.

  “I think that is reserved for those that are here in the fae realm and in the palace.” Amari wrinkled her nose in a playful mocking of Nova’s disappointment. “Maybe one day, but still cool to watch.”

  “Totally. I hope this ride never ends.” Nova stumbled as Amari tugged her to keep up with the group.

  Amari understood the sentiment. Despite the times that were rough in the human realm, remembering her time here bolstered her. Even now, she could feel the energy of this place seeping into her skin. A lightness that lifted her burdens from the inside. There was nothing quite like being in the domain of the Alpha King.