Chapter 4

"Enough." My father's voice shattered the moment. "The Guard Binding Ritual will now begin."

The four of us were led to the altar in the center of the hall.

Carved from pure white moonstone, it was covered in ancient runes that glowed under the hall's light.

Ronan and I stood on the left. Blake and Clara stood on the right.

The elders began chanting ancient spells. The air hummed with power.

"The Binding Ritual creates a mental link, gifting the master's power mark to the guard," the lead elder explained. "It forms an unbreakable bond."

I knew exactly how dangerous this was.

It tested not only the master's magic, but the guard's endurance. If a guard's body couldn't handle the master's power, they could be crippled for life. Or they could simply drop dead.

In my past life, when Blake and I did this, I had suppressed my own power, terrified of hurting him.

But now...

The chanting grew louder, and the altar blazed with light.

Soon, both Blake and Ronan began to struggle under the immense pressure.

"Clara, please... help me," Blake begged, unable to stand under the crushing surge of magic. Blood dripped from his nose and mouth.

Clara was about to reach out, but my father's sharp voice stopped her.

"Blake, you are a lowly rogue. Being deemed worthy of my daughter is a privilege. If you cannot survive this, that is your fate."

Blake stared wide-eyed at Clara. The same girl who had blushed for him minutes ago now took a step back, her voice chillingly cold.

"Blake, if you can't handle this small amount of power, you are trash."

Her voice was like ice.

"I am the future heir. My power is precious. If you are not worthy of my gift, you will suffer the consequences."

Blake was utterly stunned. He never expected the sweet girl who had accepted his loyalty to turn so ruthless in the blink of an eye.

On my side, I could feel Ronan's pain.

My Moon Goddess magic was too pure, too potent. His body was trembling violently.

But he just gritted his teeth. He even tried to sever the connection himself.

"Princess..." he choked out. "I don't want to... drag you down..."

His stubbornness made me laugh, a sound laced with anger.

"Shut up," I snapped. "We made a bond. We are one. We live together, or we die together."

I grabbed his shoulder, pouring my power directly into his core.

But this time, I didn't hold back.

Instead, I tuned my magic to his body's unique frequency, allowing him to adapt.

I felt his shock, and then his deep, silent gratitude.

Slowly, his pain subsided. He began to absorb the power. A phantom silver wolf materialized behind him, letting out a fierce, silent howl at the sky.

Finally, the ritual ended.

Blake was on his knees, drenched in sweat, his teeth clenched as blood leaked from his mouth.

Ronan, however, stood completely unharmed. He looked stronger than ever before.

I felt Blake staring and turned to meet his gaze. His eyes were dark with blame, as if this was somehow my fault.

I remembered my past life. He had barely felt a thing because I had taken the brunt of the ritual's force for him. Now, he had chosen the "heir," and nearly died for it. And he dared to glare at me?

I met his glare and mouthed two words back at him: You deserved it.

Clara didn't notice our silent war. She felt the magic coursing through her and smiled in pure triumph.

"Father, I feel the ancestors calling to me."

"I'm ready to inherit the heir's core power."

The entire pack cheered.

Every future heir experienced the "Ancestor's Call" during their crowning, a surge of ancient magic that boosted their power. My father was overjoyed.

The altar was cleared, leaving Clara alone in the center.

She glanced at me, standing perfectly still, and smirked.

"Sister, I know you're bitter. But don't hold up the ceremony just because Blake chose me."

"Do you want to punish the whole pack?"

At her words, the crowd grew impatient. Those who already disliked me began to shout insults.

"Aurora, settle your grudges in private!"

"Yeah! Don't delay the Alpha crowning!"

"Blake was right. She's nothing compared to Princess Clara."

"If I were Blake, I'd have chosen Clara too!"

Blake smiled smugly.

"Aurora, everyone can see the truth. I was blind to ever have followed you."

Ronan frowned. He pushed Blake aside and gently covered my ears with his large hands.

"Don't listen. It's all nonsense."

The anger in my chest vanished. I gave Ronan a bright smile, then turned to the triumphant Clara.

"Clara," I said, my voice calm and clear. "You cannot be the heir. You cannot accept the inheritance."

"If you force it, your power will vanish, and your wolf will be shattered."