Moonfire Ritual

The night smelled of smoke and blood.

Selene Duskbane pulled her hood down and walked quietly into the outer courtyard of Veyrath Fortress.

The towers were tall and black, reaching for the full moon. The walls were burned from old fires. Torn flags hung from the castle walls. The place felt alive, like it was pressing down on her chest.

She knew she should not be here.

Poor wolves like her were not allowed on ritual nights. The Moon Fire Ceremony was only for noble wolves  the rich and powerful ones. But she couldn’t stop walking forward.

The guards were drunk, sitting by barrels of mead. They laughed loudly. Selene moved past them quietly, like a shadow.

The courtyard was full of noise and light.

Strong warriors stood bare-chested, their skin shining with oil. Young nobles wore thick furs and shiny jewelry. Some wolves shouted and howled at the moon. Torches burned in a perfect circle around a ring of stone in the center.

Smoke filled the air. It smelled of spice and heat. Priests in black robes lifted their arms to the sky and sang to the moon. The strange song made Selene’s skin tingle.

Her heart beat faster.

She told herself she would look only once, then leave.

But she kept moving closer.

Suddenly, a howl cut through the air.

Two warriors stepped into the ring of fire. Their skin shone with sweat. They bowed to the moon then attacked each other.

Bones cracked. Blood flew through the air. One wolf fell, screaming. The other bit deep into his shoulder and twisted hard.

Selene looked away for a second, but her eyes came back. She couldn’t stop watching.

This was not a fight for sport. It was a sacrifice, wolves tearing each other apart to please their goddess and their Alpha. The crowd shouted and howled with excitement.

Inside her chest, her wolf stirred. It was hungry and restless. Selene pulled her hood tighter. She had to leave before anyone noticed her.

Then  the courtyard went silent.

No one spoke. No one moved. Even the air felt heavy.

He had arrived.

Dorian Veyrath.

Heir to the cursed throne.

Selene felt him before she saw him. The air grew thick. Her heart beat painfully in her chest. The hairs on her arms stood up.

Then he stepped into the fire circle.

He was tall and broad. Scars crossed his chest like lines of silver. His black hair touched his jaw. A dark cloak followed behind him as he moved.

But his eyes gold, burning like fire caught her.

Every wolf bowed. Even the priests lowered their heads to the ground.

One man stepped forward to challenge him  huge and scarred. He spat on the ground and growled at Dorian.

The fight began.

At first, Dorian didn’t move. He just watched.

Then the challenger ran toward him, claws ready.

At the last moment, Dorian moved aside. His claws flashed once.

Blood filled the air.

The challenger’s eyes went wide. He grabbed his throat, choking. Blood poured through his fingers. He fell to the ground and stopped moving.

The crowd screamed and howled. They were afraid and excited at the same time.

Selene couldn’t breathe. Her wolf shook inside her. She told herself she was scared but her eyes couldn’t look away from him.

Dorian stood over the body. Blood dripped from his claws. He lifted his face to the moon. The crowd howled even louder.

Then he looked around the courtyard.

His golden eyes moved slowly through the crowd.

Until they stopped  on her.

Selene froze. Her body locked up.

Her heart beat hard and fast.

He started walking toward her.

The wolves around him dropped to their knees.

No one dared to stand when he passed.

Her hood slipped back a little. He saw her face.

It was too late to hide.

Panic hit her chest. She tried to move through the crowd. But before she could escape, he was there.

Dorian Veyrath stood in front of her, blocking the way. Blood still shone on his chest. He didn’t look tired at all.

“You don’t belong here,” he said.

His voice was soft, but dangerous.

Selene swallowed hard. “Neither did you,” she said quietly. “Until the goddess cursed your bloodline.”

His golden eyes narrowed. The air between them felt electric.

He moved his hand toward her hood.

Without thinking, she caught his wrist.

Everyone gasped.

No one ever touched him.

It was forbidden.

Her hand shook, but she didn’t let go.

His skin felt like fire under her fingers.

He leaned close, his golden eyes burning into hers.

“You should kneel,” he said softly. “Every wolf here bows to me. Why don’t you?”

Her wolf wanted to drop to her knees, to obey.

But Selene lifted her chin and said,

“Because I am not yours.”

He didn’t move. His face stayed calm.

Then, very slowly, he smiled a dark, dangerous smile.

“Not yet,” he said.