When they returned to Vahem’s village, Canary couldn’t stop thinking about everything that had happened—and how she would act from that moment on.

When they arrived at the mansion, the two of them went upstairs in silence.

Vahem opened the door for her, and she stepped inside.

"Thank you… for everything," she said, her throat dry.

"You don’t need to thank me for anything, Canary."

They looked at each other.

"Sleep a little. Tomorrow… we have a long day ahead."

She nodded and moved toward the bed.

But when she turned around, Vahem was right behind her. Startled, she leaned against the wall.

"What is it?" she asked, staring at his face. He swallowed hard as he approached her.

"I… I just need to know if you’re okay."

He moved even closer, standing just inches away.

"I… I’m fine."

"Don’t lie to me."

He looked deep into her eyes.

"I’m not," she said almost in a trance.

He lifted one hand gently and touched her arm, sliding it slowly up to her shoulder, then to her neck. He touched her chin and tilted it up to meet her gaze.

"Vahem…"

Before she could finish the sentence, he grabbed her waist, held her chin, pulled her close, and kissed her.

Even though she was nervous, Canary didn’t pull away or deny the kiss. She allowed herself to feel all that desperate desire.

His tongue claimed hers as he pulled her even closer. It seemed that even that closeness wasn’t enough. Nervous as she was, she wrapped her arms around his neck, letting herself be carried away.

Vahem pulled back quickly. Both of them were breathless.

They stared into each other’s eyes, but he quickly stepped away and headed for the door.

"Forgive me, Canary. Good night."

And immediately, he left as quickly as possible.

Still in a state of ecstasy, Canary slowly slid down to the floor, touching her lips and feeling her heart race.

                                  —--

When she woke up the next day, everything seemed somehow… new to her.

She stood up, tying her blonde hair into a long braid. There were no dresses for her, so she stayed in her transparent nightgown, but she put a coat over it.

Nervously, she made her way to the door and stepped out slowly. She still wasn’t sure if she could go out like that.

She walked through the corridors, and her stomach growled as she caught a sweet scent coming from downstairs. She quickly descended, following the aroma, and soon reached a huge room.

There was Vahem, his red hair falling over his yellow eyes, wearing a partially open white shirt. He smiled happily while eating what seemed to be a piece of bread. With him was a woman. Canary had no idea who she might be.

The woman had long hair the same color as Vahem’s, but it was curly. She wore a long-sleeved black dress and had a brown skin tone that Canary had never seen before. She stood still, watching them, and their laughter made Canary feel… somewhat uncomfortable.

Then Vahem noticed her and immediately spotted her.

He stood up.

"Canary, come to the table."

She wasn’t sure if she should—she felt so… awkward.

The woman with him also stood up. Canary was startled to see that she was somewhat short. The woman looked at her quickly, and once again, Canary felt inadequate. She was beautiful. Her eyes were green, like a feline’s. She had a youthful face, appearing to be the same age as Canary.

Canary shrank back as the woman approached. She imagined the woman might judge her, or laugh at her.

But the woman stopped in front of her and pulled her into… a hug. Canary didn’t know how to react.

"Finally, I met you!"

She said warmly, making Canary blush. Vahem laughed from where he was.

"He talks about you all the time, can you believe it?"

"Thanks for being discreet, Merydia," he muttered through his teeth. She smiled teasingly.

"You’re welcome." She shrugged.

Again, she turned her hypnotizing gaze to Canary.

"You’re beautiful, you know?"

Canary shrank back.

"Thank you… that’s very kind of you. It’s you who is… perfect."

Merydia smiled at her, and once again Canary felt awkward.

"Come, let’s eat something. You’re way too thin, sorry to say."

Canary shrugged as she took her hand and led her to the table.

Canary sat beside her.

Vahem glanced at her, his lips curving slightly upward.

"Look at her, Merydia. Sorry, Canary… My sister has the gift of making people uncomfortable."

Knowing they were siblings, for some reason, made Canary feel slightly less awkward. She didn’t know why.

Merydia glanced at him and stuck out her tongue.

"Don’t mind him, Canary. He’s just afraid you’ll like me more than him."

Canary let out a small giggle, making Merydia giggle along.

"I’m afraid that’s not true," Vahem said, staring at Canary, and she couldn’t help but stare back.

The two held this gaze for a while, until Merydia put her hand in front of Canary’s eyes.

"Alright… We have important things to do. You need to complete the union of the moons today, and… I need to buy clothes for you, Canary."

Canary smiled, a little embarrassed.

"Wait… The union of the moons is today?" she asked.

Vahem nodded.

"We have to unite as soon as possible. Everyone needs to know that you’re with me! That… we are one another, it will make things easier."

She nodded, touching the half-moon mark on her arm.

"Is it okay for you? To do it today?" he asked seriously. Even remembering her "marriage" with Kyra, she nodded to Vahem.

"I’m completely sure."

"I like her, she’s decisive," Merydia said, smiling. Canary immediately returned the smile.

                                 —--

Canary was startled by how quickly Merydia had arranged the entire ceremony. The place was ready, everything was… beautiful. If it were a union for love, it would have been perfect.

Canary was in the room when Merydia arrived with several dresses. She approached Canary excitedly.

"I’d like you to choose which one you want to wear."

Canary turned to Merydia quickly.

"I… I can choose?"

"Of course you can. Just because it’s a 'union of interests' doesn’t mean you can’t decide how you want to dress."

Merydia spoke with such confidence that Canary thought to herself that one day she would be like that. She stood up quickly and examined each of the dresses. All of them were attractive, striking, and… sensual, making her a little nervous about wearing something like that. But after searching, she found the perfect one.

It was long, with slits along the legs and a deep neckline.

"This one is perfect, Canary. It will look stunning on you."

Canary nodded, a little embarrassed. Merydia was as gentle as possible, dressing her and arranging her according to her people’s traditions.

Canary looked at herself in the mirror and couldn’t believe it was her.

"I… I am…"

"Perfect."

Merydia said, staring at her. Canary smiled at her.

"Now let’s go. The ceremony needs to be done under the moonlight."

Canary nodded, and soon the two descended into the garden. It was perfect.

Many lycans were there, all staring at Canary with curiosity and anticipation. Even nervous, she kept walking, holding Merydia’s arm.

Ahead, Vahem was standing perfectly, also dressed in white, his outfit somewhat… striking.

When she stood in front of him, she felt her throat dry. He looked her up and down and swallowed.

Merydia climbed the altar and began speaking about the union. After much talk, she looked at them.

"Well… you may begin."

Vahem took Canary’s hands, and to her surprise, placed one of his on her heart. It was racing.

"Canary, I am yours! Your protector, your friend, your trainer, your lover, and your moon. My being, my body, and my blood… belong to you from this day forward! Everything I am is yours. My moon."

He didn’t avert his gaze; he was so… sincere. She felt her throat tighten but squeezed his hand firmly.

"I am yours, since the day you saved me in that lake. I’ve never been so certain of anything, but… I am sure I am your moon, Vahem."

Again, he swallowed. Canary tried to be as convincing as possible.

"Very well, I declare that from today… you are the united moons. You belong to each other, and this will never be revoked."

Before Merydia could finish, Vahem pulled her into an intense kiss… sending shivers through her entire body. Something had changed.

"Now… you are mine," he said against her lips.