ra

through the panicked arguments of the elders w

fixed on me. They saw a reckless girl on the verge of destroyin

reason, Amara," she said, her voice dangerously low. "One reason that is worth t

e moment. T

spite, or fear of leaving my home," I began, my voice resonating with

hat prophecy could possibly be more important t

. "When I was sixteen, just before my first shift, my mother took me on a pilgrimage

he true sight of the Goddess. His pronouncements were rare but were said to be infallible. A few

e woven from the threa

somber whisper. "He told my mother that my mate bond w

gasp went thr

"What did you say?" she b

with my fated mate, my presence would not bring his pack strength or prosperity. It would be a catalyst for strife, for bloods

amount of suppressed grief. My eyes glistened with unshed tears. It

silent until now?" an elder demand

around the room, my gaze pleading for understanding. "But ever since the envoys arrived, I have been plagued by nightmares. I dream of fire, of our p

efiant girl; I was a tragic heroine, willing to

y glances. In a world governed by the will of the Moon Goddess, prophecies an

found was the raw, desperate pain I felt, a pain she now attributed to a cur

en?" she asked, her voice tigh

ing my head sadly. "He said the will of the Goddess cannot

in. "So there is no p

I took a deep breath, preparing for my final gambit. "And I swear on the souls of m

sacred one I could make,

ckwood Pack from the wrath that would follow a cursed union. And I do it to protect the Stonefang Pack from the

nor and duty. My request was no longer selfish

s a mixture of awe and deep concern. I had not won them ov

de them

ctory. It was time. Tim

pride, suspicion, and a dawning, terrible pity. I knew her practical,

raised her ha

vy. "The council will deliberate. The ceremony is postponed until a deci

found it almost buckled

that. Let's consider this a

of the Council Hall, leaving a room full of powerful