Chapter 10
Ravenna raised her head, shock bleeding into rage. “My dream everything I’ve crafted, every pattern I’ve woven into the moonweave for years… and you expect me to just hand it over to her?”
Raw defiance edged her voice. “I refuse.”
Valdrin’s power rippled through the chamber, a warning in the air. “It’s a single ceremony, nothing. more. Winter faces death itself. This small comfort before the ritual – would you deny her even that, sister?”
Bitter laughter caught in Ravenna’s throat. How easily he dismissed her life’s work. As if years of dedication meant nothing before Winter’s whims. As if everything must bow to Winter’s desires.
“My heart isn’t enough?” The words tasted like ashes. “Must she claim my sacred craft as well?”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Valdrin’s face.
Winter’s voice drifted through the stone walls, fragile as morning mist: “If you refuse me this… I’ll reject the heart ritual entirely.”
“If death claims me without granting this one dream…” A delicate pause. “Then let it take me now.”
Their father’s power surged as he rushed to her. “Hush, precious one. You’ll have your wish.”
He whirled on Ravenna, eyes blazing amber with Alpha authority: “You WILL yield your place!”
“The Moon Gathering chose ME,” Ravenna snarled back, her weakened wolf still showing teeth. “My craft, my right!”
Their father’s power turned deadly. “She is your blood! Your own sister! Would you have her death.
stain your soul?”
When Ravenna’s defiance held, he pulled out his power crystal, voice dropping to a lethal whisper: “Perhaps watching your guild shatter will loosen your grip. I can have your crafthold torn apart before the moon rises.”
The threat hit like a physical blow. This was her father–wielding her deepest vulnerability like a blade.
-Valdrin’s voice carried false gentleness: “Other ceremonies will come. Let her have this one.”
Ravenna looked at them all – mate, blood, pup – a united front behind Winter. A broken laugh escaped her.
“Take it, then.”
Her eyes met theirs, dead as winter frost. “Does this satisfy the pack?”
They turned to Winter, victorious.
Only Ravenna remained, head thrown back, silent tears tracking down her face as the last ember of her spirit flickered and died.
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