Chapter Four

ERIN’s POV

A hand caught her arm to steady her. The touch burned slightly.

Erin looked up into eyes older than stone. Elder Silas.

She'd seen him before, of course. Everyone had. The ancient werewolf wandered between territories like he owned them all, and answered to no one including the Alphas.

Some said he was mad. Others said he was blessed. Most people just avoided him.

He was tall despite his age, his body still lean and strong. His white hair fell long past his shoulders. Scars covered his hands, old ones.

And his eyes. Gods, his eyes, looked old and ancient. It was eyes that could look into someone’s soul.

"I'm so sorry," Erin said again, trying to pull her arm free. "I wasn't watching where.."

Silas's grip tightened. It wasn’t painful but she could feel the pressure.

His eyes widened.

"What…" Erin tugged harder. "Let go."

But Silas wasn't looking at her anymore. He was looking through her, past her skin, and bones, straight at something Erin couldn't see.

His breathing changed and his fingers trembled against her arm.

"Elder Silas?" Fear crept into Erin's voice now. "Are you okay? Should I get someone?"

"Twice marked," Silas whispered.

The words sent chills down Erin's spine.

"What?"

"Twice marked”, He repeated, his voice distant. "Chain-breaker. Threshold walker. Oh, child. The moon has plans for you."

Erin's heart raced. "I don't understand. What does that…"

Silas's eyes snapped back into focus. He stared at her and something like sorrow crossed his face.

"Soon," he said. "Very soon. The ceremony will begin it, but not end it”. His grip loosened slightly. "Are you prepared?"

"Prepared for what?" Erin's voice came out sharp. What are you talking about?".

But Silas was already stepping back. He released her and smoothened his expression into something neutral.

"Forgive me," he said calmly, as if the last thirty seconds hadn't happened. "I'm an old man. Sometimes my mind wanders."

Erin rubbed her arm where he'd held it. The skin still tingled. "You said 'twice marked.' What does that mean?"

"Did I?" Silas tilted his head, studying her as if he couldn’t quite figure out what or who she was. "Strange, I don't recall."

"You're lying."

A smile flashed across his face. "Yes."

"Then tell me the truth." Erin hated how desperate she sounded. "What did you see?"

For a moment, she thought he might answer. His eyes softened.

Then someone called his name from across the market.

Silas stepped back. "The moon reveals her secrets in her own time, not mine. Be patient, Erin Arckwight and be brave."

"Wait.."

But he was already walking away, shoving with the ease of someone who'd spent centuries learning how to disappear.

Erin watched him until she couldn’t see him again, absently rubbing the arms Silas had touched. It was still tingling. Silas's words echoed in her head.

Twice marked. Chain-breaker. Threshold walker.

What the hell did any of that mean?

"Erin?"

She spun. Marcus the butcher stood in his stall doorway, concern creasing his face.

"You alright? You’ve been staring at the spot for a minute."

"I'm fine”, Erin said quickly. "Its’s just Elder Silas said something strange."

Marcus snorted. "Elder Silas always says strange things. That's why we call him elder, not sane." He gestured to his stall. "You never finished your shopping earlier. Still need those soup bones?"

"Right. Yes, please." She shook her head, forcing her brain to ignore the cryptic warnings from Elder Silas and focus on normal things like shopping.

But as she walked home after she finished her shopping, Erin couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.

It wasn’t until she got home that she realized that she had completely forgotten to register her name at the Alpha’s office for the upcoming mating ceremony.

…..

The dress was beautiful, made with a pale blue fabric with flowery patterns all over it. It was the kind of dress that said I belong here without shouting it.

But, Erin glared at it as if it had somehow offended her.

She’d met it on her bed, after she’d returned from the market. Her mother had laid it out, waiting for her to test it.

The dress wasn’t the problem though. It was what it represented. In three days, she would stand in front of the entire pack, hoping for a mate bond that might never come. Or worse, one that came with the wrong person.

Her arm still tingled where Silas had grabbed it, as her thoughts flew to what he’d called her.

Twice marked. Chain-breaker.

"Erin, is there something wrong with the dress? You’ve been staring at it for almost twenty minutes."

Erin jumped. Her sister, Lily stood in the doorway, her copper hair damp from washing. She looked ready for bed.

"I wasn't.."

"You were. I know because I timed it“. Lily trudged into the room and sat on the bed without invitation. The bed dipped slightly under her weight. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Liar." Lily tucked her hands under her chin, looking squarely at Erin's face. "You have not been yourself since you got home and I’m not the only one who noticed. Mom did too. She made your favorite stew for dinner and you barely ate."

"I'm just tired," Erin said.

"From what? You never made it to the seamstress or the Alpha’s office. Mom told me you spent the afternoon at Vera's." Lily's eyes narrowed. "What happened at the market?"

"Sienna was being Sienna," Erin replied. "Brock was being Brock. Just the usual."

"Did they hurt you?"

"No. Someone intervened." Erin tugged at a loose thread on her dress. "It's fine."

“Hmm”, Lily said as she reached over and took Erin's hand, lacing their fingers together. Her palm felt warm and solid against Erin’s.

"You're afraid," Lily said softly.

Erin's throat tightened. "I'm not…"

"Yes you are”. Lily squeezed her hand. "You are scared of what will happen at the Mating ceremony. You think no one will want you."

Her words cut home and Erin tried to pull her hands away. But, Lily held firm.

"Lily.."

"You're wrong, you know?."

"How would you know?."

"I just do." Lily's voice carried absolute certainty, the kind only fourteen-year-olds possessed. "I know someone amazing is going to see how special you are”.

"Lily, that's not how mate bonds work. They're random. It’s the moon that decides and I don’t think she cares about deserving or special or.."

"The moon created you for something." Lily shifted closer, her shoulder pressing against Erin's. "I know she did. You're different in a good way”.

"Different doesn't mean special. It just means wrong."

"Stop it." Lily's voice suddenly cracked with anger. She dropped Erin's hand and grabbed both her shoulders, forcing Erin to look at her. "Stop saying that. Stop believing it."