Hendrix ✓

35 ★ Forever changed

𝕃𝕒 𝔹𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕖 𝔽𝕝𝕖𝕦𝕣 𝕊𝕒𝕦𝕧𝕒𝕘𝕖 - 𝕃𝕠𝕣𝕕 𝕙𝕦𝕣𝕠𝕟

"Once he's gazed upon her

a man is forever changed

The bravest men return

with darkened hearts

and phantom pain"

Cedric POV

I'm on high alert, even with the ridiculous decorations surrounding me. Flowers, streamers, it's a lot. I suppose that's what these ceremonies are for.

Ezra and Klepto are becoming mated. An ancient ceremony that unites two people. I can't say I'm not sick with envy watching Kelpto walk down the aisle with her arm linked with her father's. Joy in her eyes. A little skip in her step.

I can't wait to see Hendrix like that.

Just because we're having this event, it doesn't mean that I'm not on my guard. There's already been a rogue attack since I've arrived. A short few weeks, and they've already shown their faces. It was a short attack, one with strategy. They pretended to invade. Their real plan is bound to be around the corner.

They think we won't be expecting it. Luckily for us, I always assume the worst, and prepare for it.

I hardly pay attention when Klepto and Ezra take each other's hands. He stares at his female like she's his whole world, because maybe she is.

I wonder if I look at Hendrix that way.

Somehow, my advice worked, and now Klepto has accepted Ezra despite their past disagreements, or whatever it is that they went through. It took a while, but now that it's New Year's Eve, they're finally making it official. A mating and marking is the shifter equivalent of getting married.

I eye Ezra, knowing that I chose him for my team. I offered him the role as my Gamma, and he's considering it. It's a relief to know that the spot will most likely be filled by someone trustworthy. The way he takes care of his mate, that's someone that can help run a pack.

After the first attack, he's been nothing but resourceful. His actions show his experience in these sorts of things. Of course, he'll be taking his mate and his team with him if he accepts. I'm not thrilled about that, but if it helps my pack, then it's worth it.

The ridiculous pack phycologist prattles on and on with the importance of mates and dedication. I don't listen, I've heard it a thousand times. Savannah is restless at my side, and I sense something unnerving crackling through the air. I don't ignore it. I never ignore my gut feeling.

Except of course, when I left Hendrix. That went against every cell in my body. I love her.

She still has me blocked on her cellphone. Dozens of phone calls and text messages won't undo that, they go unanswered. A shout in the void. I rub at my forehead, thinking it over for the thousandth time today. Did try to reach out to her too soon? When will she talk to me again?

The only thing that breaks my train of thought is the howling noise of an alarm going off. My eyes slide to Ezra, just to see that he's looking at me with a wave of deep panic flushing through him. He's probably scared for his mate. He was just about to bite into her neck when the attack alarm started.

Great timing.

Of course the alarm sounded right before he was able to mark her. It's meant to be.