Chapter 199
Skye’s POV
The crowd moved with surprising order as we left the arena after Elder Selene’s announcement.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the ground as we followed the path toward an ancient stone circle that stood some distance away from the main venue.
I gazed up at the stone formation as we approached. Tall, weathered monoliths arranged in a perfect circle, with a larger stone altar at the center. Surrounding this ancient structure was a circular arrangement of tiered seating, reminiscent of a Roman colosseum but smaller and more intimate.
“This place feels ancient,” I whispered to Adrian as we joined the stream of people finding their
seats.
Adrian nodded, his eyes scanning the stone circle. “Some say these rituals date back to the first
werewolves.”
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, the moon began its slow ascent. Its silvery light gradually washed over the stone circle, giving the weathered rocks an otherworldly glow.
When moonlight finally reached the central altar, several figures in long robes moved around the
perimeter, methodically lighting ten torches positioned around the circle.
The crowd fell silent as a tall figure in ceremonial robes approached. A wooden mask carved with
intricate wolf symbols concealed their face.
The priest carried a final unlit torch, walking with measured steps to the center of the circle. With a
fluid motion, they raised the torch high and ignited a central fire column that burst into brilliant
flames.
The masked priest turned toward Elder Selene and gave a solemn nod, indicating that everything was prepared.
“Alpha candidates,” Elder Selene called out, her voice carrying across the hushed gathering. “Please approach the sacred circle.”
Adrian turned to me, his amber eyes reflecting the dancing flames. He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
“I need to go,” he said quietly.
I gripped his hand tightly, reluctant to let go. “Be careful in there.”
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Before Adrian could respond, Leon suddenly appeared behind us, his expression impatient.
“Excuse me,” he said curtly. “You are blocking my way.”
I shifted slightly to let him pass, watching as he strode confidently toward the stone circle without a backward glance.
One by one, the five remaining Alpha candidates entered the sacred space. The crowd erupted into applause, then quickly settled into an expectant silence. I could feel the tension in the air as everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
The masked priest stood motionless at the center, yet suddenly I heard a deep, resonant voice inside my head. The priest was using mind link to connect with everyone present.
“Alpha Maxwell, approach the sacred fire first,” the voice commanded.
Alpha Maxwell stepped forward with confidence. His posture suggested he had already made his decision and was at peace with it.
“Alpha Maxwell,” the priest’s voice resonated in our minds. “Name what you wish to sacrifice. Speak your offering aloud, then cast a token representing it into the sacred flame. The fire will reveal the
truth.”
Maxwell straightened his shoulders and spoke clearly. “The person I have loved most deeply in my life is my Luna, Lillian.” He turned toward the audience, his eyes finding a woman sitting rigidly in the front row. “I must apologize to you, Lillian.”
Whispers rippled through the crowd. I spotted Lillian not far from where I sat. Her face had drained of color, but she maintained remarkable composure, her chin lifted slightly. Years of experience as a Luna showed in her dignified response to this public moment.
The priest raised a hand, and the murmurs immediately ceased. “Silence is required during the ritual.. To speak is to disrespect the Moon Goddess.”
-Maxwell continued after the crowd quieted. “I offer my mate bond with Lillian as sacrifice.” He
slowly removed a ring from his finger, holding it up for all to see. “This is my wedding ring. May the
sacred fire show me the truth.”
With those words, he tossed the ring into the flames at the center of the stone circle.
All eyes focused on the fire as it suddenly surged upward, the flames transforming from orange to a brilliant blue that illuminated the entire stone circle with its eerie light.
“I regret to inform you,” the priest’s voice filled our minds, “the sacred fire indicates your sacrifice is insufficient. Blue flames signify rejection. White flames would indicate acceptance. The priest paused before adding, “I must also inform you that the mate bond between you and Luna Lillian will
Chapter 199
dissolve. Once offered, a sacrifice cannot be reclaimed.”
I inhaled sharply. The severity of this exchange rule struck me with its finality and cruelty.
“What do you mean insufficient?” Alpha Maxwell exclaimed, his voice rising with disbelief. “How can you judge what is most important to me? There must be some mistake!”
The priest remained calm. “Please control yourself, Alpha Maxwell. What is ‘most important‘ is not chosen by the candidate but revealed by the fire. The sacred flame shows what truly matters most to you.”
My mind raced with the implications of these words as Maxwell stepped back, shock evident on his face. The ritual had just begun, and already it had demonstrated its power to strip away pretenses and reveal uncomfortable truths.
“The sacred fire will show what truly matters most to you,” the priest repeated, the words echoing in all our minds.
