Sleeping with my pregnant mate is increasingly challenging as her body grows. Even though Ella naps frequently, she's exhausted by night, and I'm not faring much better. Exhaustion isn't the only problem; getting Ella comfortable enough to sleep is a nightly struggle.

Our nest is a blessing—the abundance of pillows easily adjusts to cradle her—but figuring out where I fit is difficult. Usually, Ella treats me as a giant body pillow. More than once, I've woken to find her rearranging my limbs. I've told her to wake me for help or turn on the light for bathroom trips, but she feels too guilty to disturb my sleep.

This morning is worse than most. Ella sprawled across me. If I weren't pressed for time, it would be idyllic: she's curled against me, her belly resting on my torso, her rose-gold hair cascading over my chest. Her heartbeat syncs with the baby's, and their scents fill my senses. My wolf sighs contentedly.

I curse the summit. Getting out of bed without waking her is a challenge. I try to extract myself, rolling her away and replacing her with pillows. I almost succeed, but she keeps latching onto me. Eventually, she stirs.

"It's not nice waking your mate," she mumbles, nuzzling my chest.

"I'm sorry, baby, but I have to get up," I confess, kissing her hair. "I have to meet Roger before today's events."

Ella sighs, snuggling closer. "Uh-huh. Stay."

"I wish I could," I reply, trying to free myself. "I'm so sorry, little wolf, but you have to let me go."

"But you're my pillow," she murmurs. Her wolf whines in my head, upsetting my own wolf.

I make another escape attempt. "Goddess, you're like an octopus! When did you get so strong?"

Ella smiles, eyes closed. "I'm not. You just don't have the heart to deny me." She's right. I could overpower her, but that's a last resort.

I finally get out of bed, in a foul mood. To make matters worse, Roger overslept. The lights are off, and I hear a beeping from his bedroom. I bang on the door. "Wake up!"

After grumbling, Roger opens the door, looking baffled. "What crawled up your ass?"

"Damon. This war. The delegations. Take your pick," I retort.

Roger nods. "Fair enough." He ushers me inside, yawning. "Why this ungodly hour?"

"I don't want to meet now," I growl. "There's no other time." His room is wrecked—furniture against the walls, dust and sawdust everywhere. "What the hell happened?"

"I lost my temper," Roger shrugs, with an unfamiliar expression. "I didn't want Gabriel's servants to clean up, so I've been doing it slowly—but there's not much time."

I remember his ferocious energy after my return from the storm forest. I understand. I hug him. He tenses, then relaxes—an improvement over our past hugs.

"Look at you, big brother," I tease. "Learning about feelings, are you?"

"Shove off," he complains, pushing me away. "What's going on?"

I run a hand through my hair. "Roger, normally there's a ceremony when a new Beta takes power. I wish I could give you that, but everything's moving so fast. I need to be fully bonded to you before the summit."

Roger's lips quirk. "You're going to have me take the oath at five a.m., without witnesses, in a dark room?"

"Can you think of a better way?" I ask, hating that I can't honor him properly.

Roger laughs. "Okay, how do we do this?"

I slice my palm with my left hand (my right still bears Hugo's scar). Blood seeps, and I offer my hand to Roger. He follows suit.

"We've shared blood before, but the Alpha-Beta bond goes beyond brotherhood," I declare, ensuring he's ready. "As my second-in-command, you'll support and balance my wolf. You'll carry out my orders, even if you disagree. You may advise, debate, and I'll listen, but ultimately, my word is law."

"I understand, Dominic," Roger replies soberly. "I'm committed to serving you and the pack."

"Thank you," I exhale. "You'll be my right hand. If anything happens to me, you'll take over until the Alpha Council decides otherwise."

"Assuming we ever have an Alpha Council again," Roger quips.

"These oaths weren't made with the apocalypse in mind," I remind him. "Do you, Roger Sinclair, vow to always put the united packs first? To be loyal and just, to serve me and our people until your dying day?"

"I do."

"Do you vow to govern and protect the united packs, advise and inform your Alpha and Luna, further the aims of shifter kind, and always maintain the natural laws imparted to wolves by our Goddess?"

"I do."

"Do you vow to take my place should I perish or be incapable of governing, and to act as a mentor and guardian for my family? And do you vow to make these same commitments to non-shifters in our territories, should our societies unite?"

Roger's eyes widen slightly. "I do."

"Then I vow to always appreciate and respect your opinions, expertise, and perspective. I vow to help you succeed, and to honor your service and sacrifice. I vow to never ask you to do anything against these values, or to risk your family's safety. I vow to always appreciate the demands of your role, and to care for you as you care for me."

A searing pain pierces my hand, and white light fuses our palms. It feels like a grenade exploding in my chest. When the magic fades, a new bond forms. I've heard Roger's voice in my wolf form, but this is different. I feel steadier and more connected than ever.

"Alright, brother, let's get to work."