Echoes of Moonfire

E

es like it kn

The horse beneath me shifts restlessly, hooves crunching frostbitten earth, but I don't stop riding. Not for the cold.

at you're

ng she's ever known? From the people

tru

stay. I was cast out-tossed aside like something unworthy, something unwanted. Exil

dragged into-the betrayal, the humiliation, th

hat's all it takes f

n like a

the pack grounds with a foolish smile on my face, breathing it all in-the laughter of the younglings, t

be named Alpha of th

I would be

s m

fat

blessing. How it would feel to finally stand beside him-not as the quiet healer of the east

s. I saw the altar being polished with sacred oils, moonstones arranged in c

d for him,

ll. The cliffs where he used to run with C

aelum f

rms crossed, his eyes gleamin

all morning," he said with a s

sing to my cheeks. "

of hair behind my ear. He'd always been gentle wit

e was something in his voice-some quiet ache.

, Caelum. That means

ay something else, but instead he

again before ev

y red hair was brushed and woven with wildflowers and crystal pins. They painted sof

mirror, I didn't see t

queen in

ame the

commanding. The signal th

ed in silence. The altar stood tall, draped in obsidian cloth, the sacred markings

.. finally,

black with silver threading across his shoulders. His ey

he flutter i

ing. The priest raised his staff, the

s Selene. Under her gaze, we bless the union of Alp

can'

shattered t

But the moment Aeron stepped away

said louder, voice flat and final.

ce after w

ed. "Aeron, what

ed my gaze. My fingers reached for

lessing," he continued, addressing the crowd. "The

d and wal

t splintering-but two guards seized

screamed. "Let m

I fought the guards and was able to throw them off me

os unveiling behind him,

ha Marius-stepped forwar

this sacred ceremony," he spat. "Yo

" I cried. "He was m

rthy. You were brought into this pack out of pity

d noth

ared. "By decree of the Alpha's bloodline and

defense. Jus

nt and unmoved. Some turned their heads. Others stared, eyes

w... he

d tight around my shoulders, my only

survive long enough to find out. The only thing that