It was deemed a blessing by the Council.
I referred to it as a silk-wrapped blood ritual.
We were standing on the shattered ridge of Hollow Bastion, where the Council had set up their makeshift arena overnight. It was an obsidian stage with high-backed thrones carved from moonstone, silver-etched flags on either side, and armed guards standing like statues at every corner.
However, this was more than a ceremony.
There was a message.
To all the wolves in the lands.
They had selected a new bride.
She was also getting ready to commit herself to Elian.
While we were both concealed in the upper chamber of the council stands, Rowan whispered next to me, "He doesn't look like he's there." He is under the influence of drugs. Most likely in a blood trance.
I squinted at the platform. Arms bound in glistening runes, Elian sat motionless as stone in the ceremonial seat. His legacy—that of my family—was made public.
He didn't flinch.
remained motionless.
He simply was.
similar to a stand-in.
A puppet.
She was standing next to him.
The fourth bride.
Gold eyes gleamed unnaturally, and red hair coiled like fire. Her gown, made of real wolf pelt, hugged her body like armor, and her crescent brand pulsed eerily bright.
She was flawless.
designed.
And utterly, horrifyingly ready.
"The bond will be announced before sunset," Rowan stated. "Your claim falls apart once it's sealed. The Council will claim that the prophecy was misinterpreted. that she was the one selected.
"No," I replied. "They can't change who I am."
We had entered using fictitious credentials, with me hiding my scent behind a veil spelled with shadowroot dust and Rowan donning the sigil of a fallen Alpha from the Southern Delta.
Neither of us would be arrested if we were apprehended.
We would be put to death.
I muttered, "I need closer access." "I have something she has."
Rowan gave me a quick look. "What?"
On stage, I met the bride's eyes.
My mother's necklace was tucked in her bodice like a trophy around her neck.
The one I placed in her casket. The one that, when pressed against skin, used to play a gentle lullaby.
I balled my fingers into fists.
I said, "She stole it." "And if she is wearing it right now, it indicates that she has access to the encrypted memory data that is concealed within the pendant."
"You still think it works?"
"There's only one way to know."
The Council started by introducing themselves.
A loud voice reverberated throughout the arena.
"Today, we welcome Elara, daughter of Crimson Flame, the fourth chosen and blessed bride of balance. May her relationship with the bloodline heir usher in a time of peace and power!
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Wolves. Senior citizens. even foreign dignitaries from rival packs.
This was no longer a ceremony.
A coronation took place.
Rowan took hold of my hand. "Are you certain about this?"
"Good."
He extracted a tiny blade tinged with moon-silver from inside his coat. "Just in case."
I nodded and moved away from him, keeping my head down as I swerved through the crowd.
Most people couldn't see me because of the veil. However, I sensed the bride's gaze searching the room. As if a predator knew someone else was close.
As I arrived at the side of the stage, the priest brandished the ceremonial dagger.
"Elara, do you accept the bond?"
She purred, "I do."
"And do you, Elian—"
He remained silent.
He was unable to.
The priest paused.
Then turned to face the Council.
One gave a nod.
Still, he went on.
"Then let the bond be made permanent and let the blood of the chosen be spilled."
I shifted.
Quick.
I jumped onto the stage and tore off my veil in midair the moment the dagger touched Elian's palm.
The audience let out a gasp.
The priest let the blade fall.
Elara whirled, her golden eyes glimmering with rage.
"You should be dead by now."
"No," I said as I moved forward. "I am the one who survived."
With her claws out, she lunged at me.
Runes flew as we slammed into the altar. The guards yelled, but Rowan pushed them back with a sword as he charged through the crowd.
I took Elara's necklace and tore it free as she clawed at my chest.
The locket began to play as soon as I did.
From inside came a crackling voice.
"Maris, if you're listening, you know that Elara has stolen my blood." She is manipulating the bond by using the memory sequence. However, you—you are the anchor. The real bride. Make use of your mark. Put an end to it.
Elara screamed and seized the necklace.
I jabbed the moon-silver blade into her hand.
She shrank back.
I looked over at Elian.
He trembled and stared at me in a daze.
I put my hand to his chest and whispered, "Elian." It's me. Return. Please.
His mark wavered.
Then—glowed.
He blinked.
"Maris?" he asked in a raspy voice.
The spell was broken.
The bond broke.
Rowan slammed Elara into the altar after she screamed in anger. He forced her down by driving his blade into her shoulder as she clawed at his throat.
I looked over at the Council.
"My name is Maris Hayes. The real heir to the bloodline. Furthermore, this was untrue.
Ripples of gasps.
Council guards pulled out their weapons, but paused.
There were now too many onlookers.
For me, too many people had seen the mark glow, but not her.
Elara let out another scream before blowing up.
Rowan was knocked back by an outburst of corrupted energy. The altar broke. Red pulsed through the sky.
Elara vanished as the light dimmed.
vaporized.
However, her words—burned in black runes into the stones behind her—persisted: "THE LAST BRIDE IS AWAKENED."