Chapter 144
His thumb brushed against the back of my hand, a barely–there movement that felt more intimate. than it should have in the middle of the ritual.
Something about that small gesture made me feel grounded, yet weightless at the same time. It wast as if, for that brief moment, nothing else existed–not the gathered crowd, not the expectations, not even the whispers of my own doubts.
Just him and me, bound by this ancient vow.
The elder’s voice continued the ceremony, but I barely heard it. My senses were overwhelmed–by the heat of Lirian’s palm against mine, the mingling of our blood in the chalice, the steady strength in his gaze.
When we finally broke contact, I felt the loss immediately, as if a part of me had been tethered to him in that moment and wasn’t ready to let go.
The elder handed me a ceremonial dagger, its blade gleaming under the midday sun. I glanced at the other person standing before me, their expression solemn.
Together, we made the first cut across our palms, the sharp sting making me wince but only for a moment. The blood welled up, crimson and vivid, before dripping into the silver chalice between us.
The mingling drops shimmered, as if holding the unspoken bond we were forging.
We clasped our hands, blood and intent blending. The elder began the incantation, his deep voice resonating in the clearing.
As we repeated after him, our voices strong and unified, I felt a strange warmth envelop me, starting from our joined hands and spreading through my entire being.
“We promise to protect the members of the pack and those in need with our lives, to love them as we love our own family.”
had given
The words felt heavy, not like a burden, but a responsibility I was proud to bear. As the ritual concluded, a wave of clarity washed over me. I suddenly understood why my parents
their lives to protect the wolves.
They hadn’t done it out of obligation alone but out of love–an all encompassing, unshakable devotion to something greater than themselves.
Stepping into their shoes, I felt a part of the hurt from my past life dissolve. It was as though a weight Thadn’t realized I was carrying had been lifted, leaving me lighter
and freer than I’d felt in years. I
could finally breathe. This was where I belonged.
That evening, the engagement ceremony gave way to a grand banquet. The venue was a dazzling display of luxury–tables adorned with white linen, crystal glasses reflecting the golden light of chandeliers, and a sea of impeccably dressed guests.
Many were well–known figures from various packs–Alphas and Lunas, all powerful and influential in their own right.
Their laughter and conversation filled the room as servers moved gracefully among them, offering trays of delicacies.
I stood near the edge of the gathering, trying to avoid the limelight while sipping a glass of sparkling wine.
It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the grandeur; it just felt overwhelming. Suddenly, my eyes landed on a figure that made my breath hitch–Ryan.
He was dressed sharply in a tailored suit, his presence commanding attention even among the Alphas.
His face, though, was grim, his jaw tight as he scanned the room before his gaze locked onto me. My stomach twisted as he began walking toward me, his strides purposeful.
“Can we talk?” he aske
when he reached me, his voice low but insistent.
“Ryan,” I began cautiously, but he cut me off.
“Please, just hear me out,” he said, his tone softening you to give me another chance–to come back to me.”
“I’ve made mistakes. I know that. But I need
His eyes bore into mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability behind his confident. facade.
“It’s impossible,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Too much has happened.”
Before he could respond, another voice cut through the tense silence. “What’s going on here?” Lirian stepped up beside me, his presence a wall of quiet strength. His piercing gaze moved from Ryan to ng, and his expression hardened as he took in the scene.
Chapter 114
None of your business,” Ryan snapped, his previous softness evaporating.
It becomes my business when she’s involved,” Lirian replied, his voice calm but laced with a
warning.
The tension between the two was palpable, drawing the attention of nearby guests. Conversations. quieted, and heads turned toward us.
Ryan took a step closer to Lirian, his posture challenging. “You think you can just swoop in and take what doesn’t belong to you?”
“She’s not something to be taken,” Lirian said sharply, his eyes narrowing. “Unlike you, I respect her
choices.”
