James was the first to wake up with a tail draping over his side as Luna's back was pressed against his. The light twitches of her tail told him she was awake, and once she realized he was, her tail started to sway, showing her happiness.

Rolling over, he carefully kept her tail on him, making sure to not kink it. Pulling her aganst his chest, he kissed the back of her neck. "Good morning, love."

A happy hum escaped her. "Call me that again."

"You're my love, aren't you?"

"I am." Rolling over to face him, she added, "I feel different. Like something clicked in my soul and now I know I'll never doubt you again. I will never be afraid when you grow in power, and I know you won't leave me behind."

Smiling, he kissed the tip of her nose. "Good. We were meant for each other. Even though, we did rush into things. Still, I wouldn't have it any other way."

Kissing him back, she pressed her forehead against his. "How are we going to tell the others? Especially Amber. She's been waiting for you this entire time and I swept back in."

"We'll talk with her together," he suggested. "I highly doubt she'll stop flirting with me, even with you back in the picture."

Giggling, Luna rested her hand on his naked hip. "We should get back. The sooner we can talk to her and the others, the sooner we can get started with recovering the city."

Sighing, he intertwined his fingers with hers. "There's a lot to do. Sections of the city have been destroyed and will need to be rebuilt. Most of the place was wood, so we'll need lumber and that will mean people traveling outside the walls. We'll have to escort them as best we can, and so will the cultivators.

"Amber needs to take control of the slums and demi-human district and get everyone working together for repairs. You shouldn't leave my side, and Linda will have to stay with one of the others, most likely Jamie. We can't have our auras interfering with the process."

Blowing out a slow breath, she agreed. "The last thing we need is everyone swarming me and getting nothing done. What are you going to do?"

Kissing her nose again, he earned a giggle. "I'm going to check with Tian about the enchanters. I'll also work with Jamie to create enchantments for the people that lost everything. We'll help rebuild as we can."

"Why are we going this far for this city?" Luna whispered.

Frowning, he pulled away. "If there is an ancient bunker below the human side of the city, it makes me wonder what is under the slums. The drugs went down a little way, but there was more below that. If we gain the goodwill of the people, we can go down without issue."

"That somewhat makes sense," she admitted. "I don't see why we don't just use your soul power and force our way down. Push everyone out of our way and discover the city secrets."

Tickling her side, he felt her squirm. "Because we don't want the elders coming down and fighting us. For one, you are the only one that's strong enough to take them on apart from me. The others would be at risk, and we've already lost the Elson brothers."

Closing her eyes, she relented. "The fight would destroy so much…"

"Exactly." Knowing she understood, he kissed her for real before rolling away. Getting to his feet, he pulled out clean clothes while Luna whistled at him.

"Turn slowly!" she called out.

Laughing, he kept his back to her. "I'm not dancing for you!"

Jumping up, she hurried to stand in front of him. "Then, I guess I'll have to dance for you instead. Keep your eyes on my tail, mister and I'll show you what you could be having this morning if you weren't in a rush."

Rolling his eyes, he turned away.

"Hey!"

Slipping on his pants and shirt, he couldn't help but keep the smug smile in place. He could feel her glower on him as he found his boots and recovered the tub from the night before.

After a few minutes, he was ready, and when he turned back to Luna, he found she was ready as well. With a skip to her step, she reached his side and took his hand. "When do I get a ring?"

Pulling out the two gold bands, he held them in his palm. "I need to enchant them still."

Swiping one from him before he could react, she smirked. "Nope! It's mine now!"

Closing his hand around the remaining ring, he watched her slip hers onto her left ring finger and hold up her hand.

"It's a good thing we waited on these," she said softly. "I didn't know what to think before, but I'm ready this time. If you'll have me."

Sliding his ring on as well, he responded, "I always wanted you, Luna. I felt broken after you left me. Amber did a good job, helping me along, but she seemed to always push me towards Grace and even Mave. Apart from kissing me, Amber kept me at a distance, and I'm beginning to wonder if she was waiting on you."

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"We'll talk with her." Smiling at him, she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment before cleaning up the rest of their campsite. The blankets and pillows were added to her ring once again, and they only had to wait a moment before a large panther walked into the clearing.

"You've filled out," James commented. "Been eating well?"

Running up to him, the panther jumped up and pressed his front two paws to James's chest. A second later, the panther was rubbing his head against James, trying to get attention.

Laughing, James rubbed the panther's ears. "I missed you too! But I have to get going. There's more work to be done in the city before we can leave."

Chuffing, the panther dropped down. Sniffing Luna a few times, he bowed his head before turning away.

"I think he approves of you," James stated.

Luna scratched the panther's head. "I'm glad."

"Are you Shadow Paw by chance?" he asked.

The panther whirled on him and nodded. A deep, resonating purr filled the air, making James smile.

"How do you know that?" Luna questioned.

Familial Bonds

Luna Rys: Soulmate

Amber L'hito: Confidant, Protector, Flirt, Tease

Jamie Riclan: Sister, Enchanter Heart, Rival

Brandon Riclan (Mender): Brother, Soul Healer

Linda Silvertree: Sister, Crafting Heart

Everest: Dragon Daughter, Kind Soul

Shadow Paw the Stalker: Companion, Leader of Arms

Strong Beak: Companion, Flock Leader, Confidant

Explaining his Familial Bonds skill only took a minute. When he told Luna what she was listed on, she threw her arms around him, kissing him with all the love she could muster.

"We need to get going," he reminded her after she pulled away.

"I'm not leaving your side today, mister. You are stuck with me."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Waving to Shadow Paw, James bid the panther farewell with the promise that they wouldn't be much longer in the city.

***

Luna felt her heart flutter with every step she took back to the city. After so many weeks and months of being in love, yet scared of James, she finally understood what she was actually afraid of.

Mender pointed it out, and she didn't realize how right he was until she walked away and found James. Breaking down crying, he took her into his arms and ran away with her. He always said he would, but to actually do it was the piece she needed to convince her that they belonged together.

Never again would she be afraid of him growing stronger. She vowed to herself that she would grow and match him as soon as possible. She wouldn't rest once they got out of the city and into the wastelands until they were near equals. It was him and her against the world.

Jumping the wall of the city, they hurried around the fields and into the inner city where they came face to face with the destruction once again. Many buildings had collapsed from ice and stones hurled through them. The bodies of the victims had been removed thanks to the cultivators, but they hadn't been cremated yet. The Forsaken that attacked were likely stored somewhere as well, and Tian wanted to look at them.

Returning to the inn only took a few minutes as they walked through the morning crowd. James was stopped several times, but with a few quick words, they were on their way again. Everyone would remember what he did for them.

Humans were leaving the demi-human district, talking with the demi-humans that had sheltered them for the night. For the first time in what was likely the last century, the people had come together for refuge and safety.

Spreading out her Soul Senses, she found her party waiting in the dining room, and James led her over. With a sheepish smile, she waved at her friends as Amber gave her a knowing look.

"Figured things out?" Amber asked.

"All night long," Jamie teased. Humming, the woman added, "to think, you wouldn't get into my bed because you still wanted James."

Scoffing, Luna said, "you just didn't get me drunk enough."

Rubbing her hands together, Jamie turned to James. "Can I borrow Luna for the day. I believe there's plenty of ale and spirits next door that are calling us."

Laughing, James waved her off. "You can't have her. Besides, you have Bunny."

Giggling, Luna met Amber's eye, just for the nekorian to wink. Getting up, Amber walked over to her and linked arms. "I'm stealing Luna for a minute."

James frowned, but didn't try and stop them. Pulled away, Luna went unwillingly, and Jamie followed a second later. To her surprise, Grace and Linda also followed. Then, Zenaria stood and joined them, leaving only Mender with James.

"Why is everyone coming with?" Luna questioned.

"We have a lot to talk about," Amber chirped.

Moving to Luna's room on the second floor, they all piled in.

"This is a little much," Luna protested. "Am I in trouble?"

Amber sat her down. "You finally admitted the truth to yourself?"

"I think Mender helped her," Jamie pointed out. "Her soul finally feels like it belongs with James."

Grace crossed her arms. "I guess I'm done fooling around with him. I have to make him wash my tail at least one more time."

Holding up her hands, Luna glared at everyone. "What's going on? Are you all happy that I'm back together with James?"

"Yes!" they all answered.

Amber took her hands. "I was worried that you would never figure it out. He may be my person, and I'm addicted to him, but I know it's not my place to be his wife. I'm happy being his shield and protector."

"He called me his soulmate," Luna whispered.

Giddy with excitement, Jamie squealed. "Yay!"

Closing her eyes, Luna started to laugh. This isn't how I expected my morning to go. They all seem so happy for me. Have I really been that obvious?

***

James sat across from Mender, both of them frowning.

"Did a women thing just happen?" James asked.

Mender shrugged. "Beats me. But it's nice to see that she figured things out."

"I feel the same." Stretching out his arms, James focused on what needed to be done. "Are you ready to get out and check on people?"

"I am. I already told the few other healers that I'll be focusing on the demi-human district. A few of the doctors are going to help me."

Yawning, James knew he didn't get enough sleep after running away with Luna. Turning back to Mender, he let a smile slip into place as he tried to focus. "Good. Jamie and Tian are going to be looking at the Forsaken bodies and Linda will have to go with them. They need to cancel out each other's auras. Amber will work with Pom, and Luna and I are going to delve under the city for more answers. I believe there is more than just a old world bunker under the city."

Rubbing his chin, Mender looked lost in thought for a moment. "It would explain where they got the tissue samples from. Or at least I hope it will. Be careful down there."

Scoffing, James waved him off. "They can't hurt me."

Raising his brow, Mender gestured to everything around them. "I'm more worried you will start a fight that will collapse the city."

"Ah…"

Chuckling, they both got up. It was time to start their day and earn the goodwill of the people.

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