kers carrying trays of honey cakes toward the packhouse and young warriors hauling benches into the courtyard. The ceremony for Theo and

ed the pledge completed bef

a ribbon for her sister's hair. Mara had opinions about everything, from the shade of blue that suited Lila best t

" Mara said while Delia tied the

ow

kn

why a

se a difficult choice does not era

be able to look back and know I acted a

ed her shoulder against Delia's.

always fee

oing something even w

f her sister's head and

of the water reflected the first stars. Alpha Marcus stood with the elders, while Selene waited beside Lila in a silver-gre

e Lila, she felt her sister's ha

could without pretending t

Moon Goddess might guide their hearts, but no bond could replace honesty or kindness. Then Theo turned toward Lila and repeated t

. The crowd drew a collective breath, and a cheer ro

of her would always remember the boy who had run beside her through the summer fields. yet the man standing b

edge complete, Delia embraced L

Thank you for

good together," Delia replied

ily greetings. For a moment, h

I don't deserv

thing," she said gently. "We gre

we had made a di

regret. "I hope one d

forgiveness does not mean I will go back to be

ith Lila and joined Mara near the river. the ache was still

r mother while the elders discussed the royal visit. Their voices lowered whenever they mentioned the Alpha King's name. One elder said the K

h a sealed message. Alpha Marcus read it by lantern light, then called B

pened?" Se

ey will travel through the eastern pass, and the King's guard

danger?"

arcus folded the letter. "We wil

their rooms, and the musicians packed away their instruments. Delia helped her mo

ribbons hanging from the arch. The same strange familiarity passed through her, brief but intense, l

ing there excep

coming, no vision to interpret, and no prophecy to fear. She only knew that the Alph

re to welcome its most powerful

ce lifted, ready to