{"Mating is more than love—it's claiming, it's promise, it's forever written in the bones."}
The mood shifted as the group moved to take their seats, finding places around the long, stone table set up in the heart of the garden. The table was adorned with rich, woven cloth and laden with fruits, bread, and an array of delicacies fit for a royal feast, but the atmosphere was anything but formal. It felt... family. Comfortable. A sense of belonging radiated in the air, even as the weight of tradition and the council's authority loomed in the background.
Tor moved to the head of the table, and I followed beside him, taking my seat. It was his rightful place, the place was, for so long, he had been the leader. He deserved this honour, even if his position did not define him. His gaze swept across the faces of those around the table, his features softening ever so slightly before he spoke.
