Mera's footsteps slowed as she entered the ceremony grounds, the air thick with the scent of pine and smoke. The bonfire in the center roared high, casting eerie shadows over the gathered crowd.
The Lycans stood in tight circles, murmuring among themselves, but their attention shifted the moment she stepped into the clearing. All conversation stopped, replaced by a palpable tension that hung like mist over the gathering.
Lerius strode ahead of her, his black cloak trailing behind him. His presence was commanding, and the Lycans parted as he passed.
Mera followed in his shadow, feeling every gaze on her as if it weighed her down. No one spoke, but their judgment was clear. To them, she was the outsider queen—tolerated but not accepted.
Shani caught her eye from across the clearing, a smile curling at the edges of her lips. The gleam in her sister's eyes sent a chill down mera's spine. It was a look that promised trouble.
Dian 's presence lurked at the edge of the gathering, his green eyes flickering with something she couldn't place. A warning, perhaps—or a reminder of choices unmade. Mera pulled her cloak tighter around herself, steeling her nerves. Tonight, everything hinged on her ability to navigate this dangerous terrain.
Lerius ascended the stone platform at the center of the clearing, his golden eyes scanning the crowd with cold precision. The drums stopped, plunging the forest into an unnatural silence. When Lerius spoke, his voice was sharp and clear, each word a declaration of power.
"Tonight, under the light of the moon, we honor the bonds that define us. Through fate, we find strength. Through unity, we endure."
His gaze flicked briefly to mera, a glimmer of warning in his eyes. "And those who defy the old ways will find no place among us."
The crowd responded with a murmur of approval, the weight of tradition settling over them like a shroud. Mera kept her expression neutral, though her heart pounded in her chest. She knew that every word Lerius spoke was not just for his people—it was for her. A reminder of her place in his world.
Dian lingered at the edge of the clearing, his gaze locked on her with an intensity that made her stomach twist. His presence was a thorn in her side, a reminder of all the things she'd tried to leave behind.
Lerius 's hand brushed against hers—light, but deliberate. A silent warning: Stay in line.
The air shifted as the pairing ritual commenced. The drumbeat returned, steady and hypnotic, guiding the Lycans as they moved together in graceful pairs.
Mera watched from the sidelines, her heart heavy with a mix of longing and resentment. This was supposed to be a celebration of unity, yet she felt more isolated than ever.
Lerius stood beside her, his gaze fixed on the crowd. He showed no interest in the ritual, his focus solely on maintaining control. Mera's hands clenched into fists beneath her cloak, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior.
The Lycans moved seamlessly, finding their mates with unerring precision. Laughter rippled through the crowd as couples came together, their joy genuine and contagious. Mera swallowed the bitter taste in her throat, forcing herself to stand still.
From the shadows, Dian 's gaze never wavered. When their eyes met, a flicker of something passed between them—regret, perhaps, or the ghost of a memory too painful to confront. But whatever it was, it burned.
Lerius noticed the exchange, his jaw tightening. "Focus, mera," he muttered under his breath. "You're mine now. Don't forget that."
As the night deepened, the crowd gathered for the ceremonial dance. The music softened, the drumbeat slow and seductive. Couples swayed together beneath the moonlight, their movements fluid and intimate. Mera stood at the edge of the clearing, her pulse quickening.
Dian appeared at her side, his presence unsettlingly familiar. "Dance with me," he whispered, his voice low and insistent.
Mera stiffened. "You shouldn't be here."
He gave her a lopsided grin.
"And yet, here I am."
She glanced toward Lerius , who was engrossed in a conversation with a nobleman. This was a risk—a dangerous one. But the temptation was undeniable.
"Just one dance," Dian murmured, holding out his hand. "For old times' sake."
Against her better judgment, she placed her hand in his. The moment their fingers touched, a spark ignited between them, sharp and electric. Dian pulled her into the dance, his movements smooth and confident.
For a fleeting moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them. The weight of the crown, the suffocating expectations—all of it faded away. It was just Mera and Dian , lost in a dance that felt like both a beginning and an ending.
The dance ended too soon, reality crashing down around them. Mera pulled away, her breath coming fast. She knew she'd made a mistake. Whatever flicker of hope she'd felt was a dangerous illusion—one she couldn't afford.
Before Dian could say anything, the sharp sound of a horn echoed through the clearing. The crowd stilled, the festive atmosphere evaporating in an instant. A messenger burst through the trees, his face pale with fear.
"The southern border," he gasped, struggling for breath. "Rogues... they've breached the defenses!"
Lerius 's expression darkened, his golden eyes gleaming with fury. He turned to his guards, barking orders. "Mobilize the patrols. We leave immediately."
The crowd dissolved into chaos, Lycans scrambling to arm themselves. Mera stood frozen, her mind spinning. The attack was her chance to escape—her one shot at freedom. But as she glanced at Dian , doubt gnawed at her.
His gaze was steady, a silent plea in his eyes. "Now," he mouthed, his hand brushing against hers in a fleeting touch.
Mera's heart pounded, the weight of the choice pressing down on her. Run, or stay? Betray Lerius , or betray herself?
The moon hung heavy above them, casting its cold light on the crossroads before her. Time was running out, and whatever she chose, nothing would ever be the same again.