Koen faces the Assembly, and Serena learns from Amanda, Saul, and Jorma that the leaders cannot directly remove him as Alpha but might threaten to break from the Northwest if they think Serena compromises him. Because Anneke, Xabier, and Conan witnessed Koen's reaction when Serena was hurt, the Assembly now has proof that his feelings are visible. Serena spends the day feeling guilty and anxious that her presence may cost Koen his role and force her to leave.

While Koen is away, Serena waits in his cabin with Misery and Twinkles nearby and begins imagining desperate ways to stay without damaging his leadership, including hiding herself away and finding remote work. When Koen finally returns, Serena is caught breaking his toaster after forgetting to plug it in. The awkward moment gives way to relief when Koen pulls Serena into a fierce embrace, carries her outside, and settles her in his lap on the porch.

On the porch, Serena tells Koen that she was wrong to deny the mate bond and now believes that, in whatever way her hybrid biology allows, he is her mate too. Koen admits he suspected as much, pointing to Serena's first Heat and the fact that she could tolerate only his touch. Serena then says she did not want to give Koen a reason to step down, but Koen immediately makes clear that he has no intention of doing that.

As Serena defends Koen's fitness to lead even while loving someone, Koen reveals that the Assembly already agreed: they rescinded the covenant instead of punishing him. He explains that the leaders know Serena stood up to him, agreed to act as bait, and saved his life, and they no longer see her as a threat to his judgment. Koen goes further, telling Serena that loving her actually makes him a better leader and a better man. With that obstacle removed, Serena and Koen openly choose a future together in the Northwest, imagining shared domestic routines, work, runs, friends, and even Twinkles in their home, while Serena finally understands that Koen's constant "nuisance" has always been his way of saying he loves her.