LOGINPresent Day - Six Years After the Mating CeremonyI woke to chaos, as usual.Luna was jumping on our bed, singing a song she'd invented about pancakes. Asher was arguing with Skyler about whether six-year-olds could have coffee. And from my very pregnant belly, baby number three was doing what felt like gymnastics."This is your life now," I told the baby. "Loud, chaotic, and completely insane. Welcome to the family."A kick in response. This one was already opinionated.Due in two months, and I still couldn't believe we were doing this again. Three kids. A full house. Constant noise.I'd never been happier.---"Mama, tell Dad I'm old enough for coffee," Asher demanded."You're six. You're not old enough for coffee.""But Dad drinks it!""Dad is thirty-two. When you're thirty-two, you can have all the coffee you want.""That's forever from now!""Exactly. Now go brush your teeth."He stomped off, muttering about unfair parents. Luna immediately took his place in the argument."I want
Five Years Later"Asher James Mercer-Voss, if you don't get down from that tree right now—""I'm fine, Mom!" my six-year-old son shouted from a branch that was definitely too high. "Dad lets me climb higher than this!""Your father has terrible judgment," I called back, but I was already moving to spot him.From the porch, Skyler laughed. "He's a wolf pup. Let him climb.""He's six. And that branch looks questionable."Our daughter, three-year-old Luna, tugged on my shirt. "I climb too?""Absolutely not.""But Asher—""Asher is older and has a death wish. You're staying on the ground."She pouted, bottom lip jutting out in a perfect replica of Skyler's stubborn expression.---Five years since our mating ceremony. Five years of chaos, growth, and love that kept expanding in ways I hadn't known were possible.The cottage had been renovated twice to accommodate our growing family. The nursery was now Asher's room, filled with books and drawings and rocks he insisted were "special." Luna
The young couple stood in Marcus's office, practically vibrating with nervous energy.I recognized the look. I'd worn it myself once."This is Liam," Marcus introduced the male wolf. "And his mate, Sophie. They just completed their bonding ceremony last week."Sophie's mating mark was fresh, still slightly red against her collarbone. She kept touching it unconsciously, the way I had for months after my own ceremony."Congratulations," I said warmly. "How are you adjusting?""It's overwhelming," Sophie admitted. "The bond is so much more intense than I expected. I can feel everything he feels and it's just... a lot."Liam nodded. "We were hoping you could give us some advice. Marcus said you and Skyler might be willing to talk to us about the adjustment period."Skyler and I exchanged glances. When had we become the couple others looked to for guidance?"Of course," Skyler said. "What do you want to know?"---We met them at the cottage that weekend. Asher was napping, giving us time t
I found myself at the clearing without consciously deciding to go there.The place where everything had started. Where Skyler had rejected me, destroying my world before slowly rebuilding it into something better.Two years ago. It felt like a lifetime.Asher was with my parents for the afternoon—his first solo visit without me hovering nearby. At fourteen months old, he was walking confidently now, chattering in his own language, getting into everything."You need a break," Mom had insisted. "Go do something for yourself."So I'd driven. And somehow ended up here.The clearing looked the same. Trees forming a natural cathedral, sunlight filtering through leaves, the stream bubbling nearby.But everything was different.I was different.---"Thought I might find you here."I turned to see Skyler emerging from the tree line."How did you know?""Bond. And logic. You've been thinking about this place lately."He was right. As Asher's first birthday had approached, I'd found my thoughts
Asher's first birthday party was pack tradition meets Pinterest chaos.My mother had made a smash cake shaped like a wolf. Sarah had decorated with way too many balloons. The entire pack had shown up, along with half the human community."This is insane," I told Skyler, watching toddlers run wild through our yard. "He's one. He won't even remember this.""But we will. And the pack expects it.""The pack expects a lot of things."But watching Asher in his high chair, cake smeared across his face as he demolished the wolf-shaped dessert with pure joy, I had to admit—this was perfect."He's having the time of his life," Vera said, snapping photos. "Look at that face."Asher grabbed another handful of cake, squishing it between his fingers before shoving it in his mouth. Blue frosting covered everything—his face, his hair, his new birthday outfit."Bath time is going to be fun," Skyler muttered."Worth it for these photos."---One year. Twelve months. Three hundred sixty-five days since
Asher's half-birthday arrived with chaos.He'd learned to sit up unassisted, which meant everything within reach went straight into his mouth. He babbled constantly—"ba ba ba" and "da da da" that Skyler insisted meant "dada.""He's just making sounds," I said."He's clearly saying dada. Listen.""Confirmation bias.""Denial."And then, just to spite me, Asher looked right at Skyler and said, "Da!"Skyler's triumphant grin was unbearable."Fine. You win. His first word was dada.""I'll add it to the baby book."---The six-month checkup brought good news."He's in the ninety-fifth percentile for height and weight," Dr. Rivera said. "Definitely got his father's genes.""Great. I'm growing a giant.""A healthy giant. Everything looks perfect. You can start solid foods now if you want."Solid foods. Another milestone."Rice cereal first," she instructed. "Then gradually introduce vegetables and fruits. Watch for allergies."That night, we attempted Asher's first meal.He grabbed the spoon







