My Late Bloom, My Two Alpha Mates Novel - Chapter 19

Chapter 19 Dante's POV My pack formed a tight circle around us, faces dancing in the orange firelight. Blood bondings were rare sacred moments when a wolf chose to bind their life to ours. Usually I loved this part of being Alpha, but tonight was hitting different. Rose stood across from me in that incredible dress, her hair loose and wild, green eyes reflecting the flames. Everything about this moment felt like destiny clicking into place.

"Tonight we open our hearts to a new sister," I called out, my voice echoing through the trees. "Rose Carter, you stand before us seeking pack bond. Do you come with pure intent, ready to bind your fate to ours and fight for every wolf in this circle?" She met my gaze directly something most wolves couldn't do with an Alpha, but tonight it felt right. "I do," she said, her voice strong enough to reach every corner of the clearing.

"Crescent Ridge pack, does anyone here object to Rose Carter joining our family?" I called out, my voice carrying across the silent clearing. The silence was absolute, but I could feel through our bonds that every single wolf here was completely on board. Still, the ritual demanded this moment, and honestly, I liked the dramatic pause. After letting the tension build, I grinned at Rose and offered her the blade.

It was this beautiful piece Elena had carved from bone and embedded with volcanic glass sharp as hell and perfect for ceremonies like this. Rose took it without even a second's hesitation and drew a clean line from elbow to palm. "1. Rose Carter, ask to join Crescent Ridge pack," she said clearly, offering me both her bleeding arm and the blade. I took the knife and made the same cut on my own arm, feeling the sharp sting as blood welled up.

"I, Dante Thorne, Alpha of Crescent Ridge pack, accept you as our own," I said, gripping her forearm just below the elbow. We clasped forearms, blood mingling where our wounds met, and the pack magic hit like lightning. I felt her presence slam into the bond, connecting her to me and every other wolf in the circle. Our eyes locked. "Do you pledge yourself your loyalty, your strength, your life to me and this pack?" I asked.