Page 119 of The Reluctant Alpha

The women exchanged one of their meaningful glances. "Both," Sylvia said finally. "Bear magic isn't flashy like some species, but it's...substantial."

"Rooted," Maya added. "Like the mountains themselves."

I added that to my notes, fascinated despite my skepticism. After all, I was carrying triplets for a man who turned into a bear—who was I to question magical leaf arrangements?"What about location?" I asked. "Would this happen at our new territory?"

"Ideally," Maya said. "It would help establish it as true bear land."

Sylvia leaned forward. "There's something else we should discuss. Something that might be...difficult."

I braced myself. "Let me guess—another charming tradition involving female subjugation?"

"The leadership blessing," she confirmed grimly. "Traditionally, the alpha's mate presents herself to the pack as fertile ground for the alpha's seed."

I nearly choked. "Excuse me?"

"It's symbolic," Maya hurried to add. "A ritual acknowledgment of the alpha pair's fertility ensuring the pack's future."

"But under Micah," Sylvia continued, her voice hardening, "it became a spectacle. The alpha's mate would be displayed like breeding stock, her value measured solely by her ability to produce heirs."

My hand instinctively moved to my stomach. "Well, that's definitely not happening."

"We agree," Maya said quickly. "But we need something to replace it—some acknowledgment of leadership that honors both of you without the...degradation."

I thought for a moment, tapping my pen against my lip. "What if we flipped it? Instead of me being presented to the pack, what if Bayer and I together acknowledge our commitment to the pack's future?"

"Like a human renewal of vows?" Sylvia suggested, looking intrigued.

"Well, we’d have to make the vows first,” I joked, but that gave me an idea. “Sort of, but focused outward. Less about us as a couple and more about our shared responsibility to the community." I was warming to the idea now. "We could invite all mated pairs to join in, emphasizing that the pack's strength comes from all its bonds, not just the alpha pair."

Maya's eyes widened. "That would be...revolutionary," she whispered, her eyes wide with something that looked like hope. "The elders would love that."

I felt a flutter of excitement mingling with the terror of responsibility. "What about food? I'm guessing there are traditional dishes?"

"Bear favorites," Maya confirmed, relaxing into a smile. "Honey-glazed salmon, blackberry pies, roasted root vegetables with herbs. The feast should be abundant, symbolizing the last harvest before winter."

"And mead," Sylvia added with a mischievous glint. "Lots of mead."

I laughed. "I'll have to skip that part, obviously." I patted my stomach trying to do the mental math on three months. Maybe, maybe not. "But I can oversee the rest."

The more we talked, the more enthusiastic I became. This wasn't just about planning a party—this was about reshaping a culture, about taking something that had been used to hurt and control and transforming it into something healing.

It was also about supporting Bayer.

Twenty minutes later, I wasn’t surprised to hear the knock on the door heralding Em and a tea trolley I had no idea where he’d found. More to the point, it was laden with cakes, and both women looked delighted. “Meet my partner in crime,” I introduced Emery, knowing his insatiable curiosity had gotten the best of him.

Tia, obviously, was a hit, and we soon had a lively planning meeting happening.By the time Bayer and Phoenix appeared two hours later, the coffee table was covered with notes, sketches, and lists. The four of us were so engrossed in planning that I didn't hear them enter until Bayer cleared his throat from the doorway.

"I see you've met," he said, his expression curious as he took in the scene.

"Your mate is brilliant," Sylvia announced without preamble. "We're reinventing the Winter Gathering."

Bayer went very still, his eyes finding mine. "The Winter Gathering," he repeated, his voice carefully neutral.

"Don't worry," I said quickly, reading the tension in his shoulders. "We're completely overhauling it. No misogyny, no public humiliation, no...availability." I stumbled over the last word, still disgusted by what I'd learned.

Something dark flickered across Bayer's face. "I should have told you about it myself," he said quietly. "I just never thought we'd revive it."

"It's time," Maya said, standing to face him. "But not as it was. Something new, something better."