Chapter 12
A haunting howl echoed through the ritual chamber as the last heartbeat faded.
“Alpha Valdrin, the heart has been claimed,” the pack healer announced.
The others relaxed, but Valdrin’s hands trembled, an overwhelming dread seizing him. His eyes fixed on the ritual stone.
Ravenna lay there, peaceful in death’s embrace, her wolf spirit extinguished. By his own claws, he had taken her heart.
Valdrin stood frozen until another healer’s touch broke through his haze. “Alpha, we must complete the transfer ritual for Winter now.”
Reality crashed back. Yes. Winter would live. Wasn’t this what he had always wanted?
Hours later, as the moon reached its peak, Valdrin emerged from the sacred chamber. The pack waited anxiously their former Alpha, his mate, even young Ash and Sweet – all concerned only for Winter’s fate.
The ritual succeeded,” Valdrin announced.
Joy erupted among them. Not one asked about Ravenna’s fate.
As Winter was carried to the healing den, her father remained behind, gripping Valdrin’s arm with tears in his eyes.
“You’re a true Alpha, finding a heart donor and performing the sacred ritual yourself. Winter might not have survived otherwise.”
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“Perhaps she should have been your mate from the start. Back then, she…” He stopped, sighing “Never mind.”
“Tell me, who was the donor? Our pack should honor their sacrifice.”
Just then, the chamber doors opened. Pack healers carried out Ravenna’s body, covered in Ceremonial furs. A breeze lifted the edge, revealing her distinctive moon–mark.
Her father froze. “That mark…”
Valdrin quickly blocked his view. “The sacred laws forbid revealing a heart donor’s identity.”
Chapt
Her father nodded, dismissing the familiar marking as coincidence.
In the sacred crypt, Valdrin dismissed the healers, personally carrying Ravenna’s body. He pulled back the furs, revealing her pale face. The ritual wound gaped crimson across her chest.
Though he knew this wasn’t true death, seeing Ravenna lying cold in the crypt tore at something deep within him. The pain he’d denied finally surfaced.
He clutched her cold hand. “You’ll return to me.” “Your love for me will bring you back.” “Even if you resist, the Moon Goddess’s Trial binds you to me until completion.”
Valdrin pressed his forehead to hers, whispering: “When you return, we’ll build a real life together, my mate. Please…”
Once, Ravenna would have tenderly touched his face, agreeing softly. Now, only silence answered.
By tradition, the Moon–Blessed returned within three moons, wearing a new form, living a new life. Valdrin was confident – no matter what vessel she inhabited, what identity she claimed. As long as she appeared in his territory, he would recognize his mate.
