learing where the Pack gathered in a wide circle around the bonfire. Sparks
ar on her wrist pulsing in time with the rhythm of the drums. She could feel the forest breathin
er that morning, her silver eyes bright. "
under the moonlight, feeling the air charged with someth
he ritual. Children darted between the adults, their eyes bright, the older ones helping to light smaller fires,
ecklace of carved bones resting against his collarbone. His hair was loose tonight,
he said, stoppin
ing his gaze. "I don'
small smile. "That's the b
olling her eyes. "Th
sing the tightness in her chest.
rved wooden wolf Tano had given h
air behind her ear. The touch was gentle, gr
alone," he
the drums falling silent as
choing through the trees. "Tonight, we honor the spirit that
oftly, a ripple of reverenc
e smiled. "And tonight, we welcome o
but there was no judgment, no fear in their gaz
, Elara," Nan
r to the center of the circle, the fire's warmth kissing
slow, steady, matchin
er Elara's scar. "Tonight, you will not fear
f herbs into Elara's hand,
Nana Isha
ng the scent of the herbs, th
nds clearer. She could hear the crackle of each spark in the fire, the whispe
, their bodies a language older than words. Elara watched, her body swayin
rs, and for a moment, it was only them, the
whispered, his voice al
eyes, letting t
ancing across the grass, her arms lifting to the sky. The scar on her wris
est, bright and clear, and the Pack echoed
around her. She felt the moon above her, watching, b
mbrac
breath syncing. His hands found hers, steady and warm, guiding he
d laughter washing over them, the drums
't know she had built breaking apart, letting in light
, voices rising together, calling to the moon, to
head, and she h
her bones, her spirit, her blood. It was a call, a promise, a declar
less, laughing, tears streaming down her face. Kael knelt
aid, his voice rou
tears, smiling so w
his thumb brushing away a tear she
er to her feet, embracing her, voices ov
a crown of woven grass and flowers
lace it on her head, laugh
whispered, pullin
he stars. Nana Isha sang old songs, her voice soft and strong,
ough that their shoulders touch
she said, h
s eyes reflecting the
. For eve
out, taking her hand in his, his thum
" he said. "You chose
nder, something strong, something that made her feel li
alized he
lara lay on her back, staring up at the stars,
ders still touching, the silence
e beautiful,"
d, his eyes on her.
ght, and she turne
ld was still, the nig
, gentle kiss to her forehead,
alone, Elara,
is words sink into her, letting the promise
a soft song under the stars, a promise that they were togeth
r on her wrist, feeling it pulse so
was
was
was