Knotting His Rejected Breeder

"You may mark the bride," the priestess concluded with a quiet, knowing smile.

For a long heartbeat, neither Dane nor Destiny moved, letting the gravity of the declaration settle between them. Then Dane turned to face her, his dark eyes searching hers. Destiny’s lips curved into a small, almost nervous smile as the silence lingered.

"Well?" she whispered softly.

His gaze dropped briefly to the vulnerable curve of her neck before returning to meet her eyes. "Are you sure?"

Without a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. "Very."

The priestess took a discreet step aside, giving them room. Dane leaned closer, offering Destiny one final silent moment to change her mind, but when she simply tilted her head to expose the side of her neck, his hand settled gently yet firmly against her waist.

"Go on," she murmured.

A faint smile touched his lips just before he lowered his head. The mark was quick, intimate, and unmistakably final—a binding seal woven directly into her skin.

When Dane lifted his head, Destiny instinctively reached up, her fingers lingering over the tender, fresh mark.

Her husband.

The thought still felt surreal, like a dream she hadn’t quite finished waking up from.

Dane seemed to be coming to the exact same realization.

"Well," he murmured, staring down at her.

Destiny looked up, a brow arching. "Well what?"

"I suppose we’re actually married."

A breath of genuine laughter escaped her lips. "Apparently so."

The priestess smiled fondly at the couple before turning toward the waiting gatherers.

"The Goddess has witnessed and blessed this union."

As Dane and Destiny turned to face the room together, they were met by Sonia, who was already beaming. For once, there was no sharp calculation in her expression—no lingering concern about alliances, borders, or royal titles. There was only raw, unadulterated relief.

She walked straight toward Destiny first.

"Welcome to the family."

Before Destiny could formulate a reply, Sonia pulled her into a warm embrace. Destiny stiffened for half a second out of sheer surprise, but the genuine warmth of the gesture quickly won out, and she gradually relaxed into the hug.

"Thank you," Destiny whispered.

Sonia pulled back, holding her firmly by the shoulders as her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"I mean it. I have much to make up for."

Destiny offered her a small, reassuring smile.

"We can start from here."

Sonia nodded softly. "I’d like that very much."

Turning to Kalessie, Sonia took a moment to address the past.

"I am deeply sorry for how you were treated when you first arrived."

Kalessie studied the former Luna for a brief, tense moment before extending her hand in peace.

"We’ll leave the past where it belongs."

Sonia accepted the hand, but instead of a formal shake, she pulled Kalessie into a brief, meaningful embrace.

Finally, she turned to Marcus and extended a hand of respect.

"Lord Marcus."

Marcus looked down at her offered hand before taking it in a firm grip.

"Luna Sonia."

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

"Thank you for trusting us with your daughter."

Marcus glanced over at Destiny and Dane, who were watching the interactions with quiet amusement.

"I didn’t exactly have much of a say in the matter."

Sonia laughed softly, the sound light and free.

"No, I suppose none of us did."

Marcus’s stern expression softened into something resembling warmth.

"But I’m glad she chose him."

Sonia followed his gaze back to the newly married couple.

"So am I."

A short distance away, Ramon remained standing exactly where he had been throughout the ceremony. He had not stepped forward, offered a formal blessing, or uttered a word since stepping aside to let the wedding proceed.

Dane looked toward his father, and across the quiet sanctuary, their eyes met.

For several heavy seconds, neither man said anything.

Then, with an unreadable expression, Ramon gave his son a single, brief nod.

It wasn’t warmth, nor was it outright approval, but it certainly was no longer a rejection.

Without another word, Ramon turned and walked out. He passed Marcus and Kalessie without stopping, refusing to make eye contact or shake hands with anyone. The heavy wooden doors of the chapel swung closed behind him with a quiet, definitive thud.

Destiny watched the doors settle, her voice dropping to a murmur.

"He really doesn’t like me."

Dane glanced down at her.

"He doesn’t know you."

"That hasn’t stopped him from forming an opinion before."

Dane let out a quiet laugh under his breath.

"No. No, it hasn’t."

Overhearing them, Sonia chimed in with smooth confidence.

"He’ll come around."

Dane raised a doubtful eyebrow.

"You sound remarkably confident about that."

"I’ve been married to that man long enough to know the exact difference between when he is truly angry and when he is simply pretending not to care," Sonia replied lightly.

"That sounds exhausting."

"You have absolute no idea," Sonia smirked.

Behind them, Hannah snorted loudly, while Henrik cracked a quiet laugh, effectively dissolving the last lingering traces of tension in the room.

Sonia turned back to the younger pack members.

"Someone needs to go out there and tell the rest of the pack."

Hannah’s hand shot straight into the air.

"I’ll do it!"

Henrik eyed her warily.

"You’re going to announce it to the entire territory before we even clear the courtyard steps, aren’t you?"

"Obviously," she replied with a wicked grin.

"You enjoy chaos far too much."

"I enjoy spreading good news."

Henrik shook his head with an affectionate sigh.

"I’ll come help her keep it somewhat contained."

Dane looked between the two of them, his tone turning grounded.

"Tell them we’re already married, but let them know the formal celebration will take place in two days."

Hannah’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"Two days?"

"Yes," Dane said, exchanging a meaningful look with Destiny. "That happens to be the exact day Vance expects me to arrive in his territory to surrender."

Henrik’s expression hardened with sudden understanding.

"And instead, he’ll get the news that you’ve already taken Destiny as your Luna."

"Exactly."

A slow, devious smile spread across Hannah’s face.

"Oh, I am going to enjoy making this announcement immensely."

"Don’t turn it into an outright declaration of war," Dane warned.

"No promises!"

"Hannah."

"Fine, fine—I’ll be on my best behavior," she conceded, though Henrik gave her a deeply skeptical glare as he escorted her out.

Turning back to Destiny’s parents, Dane offered, "Before we leave, let me make sure you have proper rooms prepared in the main Alpha house."

Sonia nodded in immediate agreement.

"Of course."

Marcus opened his mouth, looking ready to decline out of pride, but Dane raised a hand to cut him off.

"Please. You came here as guests, but you’re staying as family."

Kalessie exchanged a quiet glance with her husband. Seeing her silent nod, Marcus sighed and relented.

"All right."

"Good," Dane said.

He turned to Destiny, offering his arm.

"Ready?"

She nodded, slipping her hand through his.

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