the first pale light touched Blackthorn Keep, the duel circle had been prepared in the central courtyard. A wide ring of packed earth ringed by iron braziers, flames snapping in d

ay discarded in the tower; now she wore simple wool leggings, boots, and a long tunic beneath the cloak. The bite mark on her neck pulsed steadily, a living reminder of what had changed foreve

se. Neither woman spoke at first. They simply watched the courtyard fill: warriors in full battle gear, elders in their moon embroidered robes, servants peering from do

me," Clara

kno

will

sister's eyes

bruises from the night's passion and older scars from countless fights. In his right hand he carried a long, curved blade forged of dark steel, its edge gl

and a small leather satchel. They stopped at the circle's edge and handed hi

k fell

ross the diameter of the circle. He wore no weapon yet,

ed arrangement sealed by bloodlines and moon signs. You claim an unmarked female over the true Luna marked by the crescen

true mate. The bond awakened last night under the blood moon. The Godde

this time. Some voices carr

t the duel decide. First bloo

r crushing blows. He stripped off his outer robe, revealing a body honed by decades o

on Goddess, witness this trial. Let t

moved

held in a high guard, waiting for the younger wolf to commit. The snow c

ed on the cloak. Her pul

at Gideon's shoulder. Gideon parried with a ringing clash, metal screaming against metal. He countered i

in line of red across his side. He ignored it. He spun, bringing his own weapon u

ated, brea

," Gideon snarled. "A

d you fight like an old wolf who ha

lew where steel kissed steel. Damien was faster, more agile, using the lighter blade to slip past Gideon's guard. But Gideon's experi

h across Damien's forearm. A shallow

letting her feel echoes of Damien's pain and adrenaline. She taste

her arm. "He i

frowned

eld. He does not want to kill his Alph

g arcs. Damien ducked and weaved, letting the heavier blade carve furrows in the earth. One blow came too close; the

led, eyes f

ped ret

ades locked. Muscles strained, cords standing out on forearms and

," Gideon hissed. "Power. Lega

"She stands at the edge of this circ

oved

es too fast to track. Gideon parried the first two, missed the third. The curved

ggered, sw

ack g

ut ready. Blood dripped from the tip

he said

his trousers, pooling at his boots. He raised

ed in his expression that was not ra

point first into the earth

yie

shed over t

Blackthorn has proven his claim. The Moon Goddess has spoken through strength and blo

pproval and relief mingling. Others

rned towa

e reached him and threw her arms around his neck, heedless of the blood, heedless of th

rmured against her

tears. "You idiot. Y

rth

y. She stopped a few paces

his chest to stem the bleeding. He looked

said to her. "You did not

ered softly. "Now keep yo

"The pack will need time. Ther

er tucked against his side. "Let

he turned and walked from the circle, Rona

a are affirmed. Let the rites of ascension begin at dusk. Unt

oices rising in a chaotic mix

wn at Ashley. "Y

," sh

s the movement pulled at his cut

her arm around his waist, his around h

clean linen, and salves. Damien sat on a bench near the roaring hearth wh

me," she adm

ght her palm to his lips. "But I wo

issed him softly, tastin

rms crossed. A small smile curved her

aughed.

ned. "I get to keep my sister.

u already have one. Wheth

es misted.

d in quiet white. Inside, the fire crackled and warmth s

od moon

era ha