Serena’s POV

The village was abuzz with excitement. The air was filled with the scent of pine and freshly turned earth, mingling with the anticipation that radiated from every villager and warrior alike.

They had waited so long for this moment—Baird, the formidable warrior of the Storm Pack, had finally found his mate. And that mate was me, Serena.

I stood beside Baird, feeling the weight of their expectations weighing me down. Their smiles were ...