{"Together is my favorite place to be." }
ROLAN'S POV
Qadira's fingers squeezed mine. "You're ready," she whispered, her voice like moonlight steadying, beautiful. "Let them see the man I see."
I drew in a breath and stepped through the archway of ivy into the Royal Garden. Silence met us. Everyone that Tor had summoned was present, and I walked in, no disguise, no half-truths.
Tall, dark, marked with the faint sigils of the old ways, my silver eyes gleaming like moonlit steel, my hair no longer tied back, but falling in soft waves to my shoulders. The quiet stretched long, tense.
Then Alpha Tor stood. "Rolan," he said firmly, "welcome."
A ripple of nods followed. General Mortas was the first to step forward, giving a sharp nod and thudding a fist to his chest in respect. "Rogourau or not, you stood with us on Blood Stone Mountain. That is enough for me."
"More than enough," added Elder Crystal, her gaze appraising but warm. "You walk in truth now. That is all we ask."
