Chapter 5

At the end of the procession, the Moon Envoy stands before the Moon Goddess's altar with a medallion bearing the White Wolf pack's crest.

She prays for a blessing, then tosses the medallion into the crowd.

Whoever catches it is the one the Moon Goddess has chosen to bless.

When Vivian finished her prayer, she closed her eyes and tossed the medallion into the crowd.

After a noisy scramble, the medallion ended up in Silas's hand.

He smiled tenderly, and the crowd around him broke into good-natured applause.

"The Moon Escort caught the Envoy's medallion!"

"Even the Moon Goddess approves. They should become mates right after the procession and honor her blessing!"

"Look at their faces. I think it's happening!"

Vivian blushed and waved it off, but the way she looked at Silas was pure adoration.

Silas rubbed his thumb over the medallion, but he didn't look at her. He walked toward me instead.

I was standing in a quiet corner, looking up at the moon.

It had reached its highest point. A full day had passed since the election.

I raised my hand and touched the spot over my heart.

It was still beating steadily, but the grief, the disappointment, and the love that used to fill it were gone. I couldn't feel any of it.

Alexander broke into an excited grin.

"Look, Silas is coming over to propose to you!

"You always said you wanted a one-of-a-kind proposal. That's why he fought so hard to catch the medallion.

"In a minute, the whole pack is going to be giving you their blessing!"

Silas stopped in front of me and held out the medallion.

"I had to fight to get this. You're not going to take it?"

The crowd that had been cheering slowly went quiet.

Up by the altar, the color drained from Vivian's face.

I didn't take it. I didn't have the strength.

When my feelings were drained away, it was like they took all my energy with them.

Silas looked confused.

"Flora, what's wrong?"

He looked at my blank face and sighed.

"You're really not going to talk to me?

"I only became the Moon Escort so I could catch the medallion. I already promised I'd make you my mate. Why would I go back on that?

"You always wanted a special proposal. Now you're the first wolf in the pack to be proposed to with the Moon Goddess's blessing. Aren't you happy?"

I still didn't say anything.

Silas frowned.

"Everyone's watching. Don't be ridiculous.

"The Moon Goddess's blessing means everything to a wolf. Don't turn it down."

I ignored him, like I hadn't heard a word.

Silas's smile finally vanished.

"You really have to throw a tantrum right now?"

Vivian came over to stand beside Silas, smiling sweetly.

"Flora, that medallion stands for the Moon Goddess's blessing. As a wolf, you really shouldn't turn it down.

"I know you're still upset. Last time, I really did fall, so I asked Silas to take me to the hospital. I had no idea he was in the middle of proposing to you. Because of me, he had to stop, and your mating ceremony got pushed back all this time.

"Now you're getting an even more meaningful proposal to make up for it, so please don't—"

Scott quickly cut her off. "We agreed not to bring that up. What if Flora gets mad again?"

Then he turned to me with a smile.

"We can all vouch for Vivian. She's the one who suggested Silas be Moon Escort so he could give you a big proposal."

Silas held the medallion out to me again.

"Now will you finally take my gift?"

Before, all Silas had to do was put in a little effort, and I'd forgive him for anything.

But now, watching him smile and try to win me over, I didn't feel a thing.

When I still didn't say anything, Silas finally started to panic.

"What's wrong? Are you sick?"

I blinked and answered slowly, "No. I just don't want it anymore."

Silas reached for my hand.

"You don't want the medallion? But you believe in the Moon Goddess more than anyone."

Alexander suddenly panicked. "She didn't really get her feelings taken away, did she? I remember Mom saying any candidate nobody chooses loses the ability to love anyone, forever!"

Scott actually laughed at that.

"No way. I grew up in the White Wolf pack too. The ones who lose just seem a little cold. They live normal lives."

Silas finally looked a little more relaxed.

"Exactly. There's no way the punishment is real. Flora's probably still mad."

He sighed and put the medallion in his pocket.

"Fine, have it your way. Tomorrow, when you're in a better mood, I'll propose again."

Vivian's eyes were red when she spoke. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. My bad idea made Flora mad."

Silas smiled and wiped away her tears.

"How is this your fault? Your plan was great.

"I'll take you home first. You're human. It's not safe for you to walk alone at night."

Vivian smiled through her tears and left with him.

Alexander watched them go, then nudged me.

"Quit fighting with Silas. He had the whole proposal planned, and now it's ruined again.

"If Mom were here, she'd worry about you too."

I ignored him and pressed a hand over my heart again.

My heartbeat was the same as always, steady and even.

But my heart might as well have been a block of wood. It couldn't feel a thing.

I looked at Alexander and asked calmly, "Lachlan's in pack territory these days, right?"

Alexander paused.

"I think so. But why are you asking about him all of a sudden?"

I turned and headed toward Lachlan Cross's house.

"I need to see him about something."

Alexander hurried to stop me.

"You and Lachlan have been fighting since you were kids. Don't go pick a fight now. Think about the mating ceremony first!"

I stepped around him and kept going.

"I'm going to become Lachlan's mate."

Alexander stared at me in shock.

"Are you crazy? What wolf jokes about taking a mate?!"

I didn't feel like explaining. I just left.

I knocked on Lachlan's door. It opened right away, and Lachlan leaned out, as handsome and familiar as ever.

"The procession just ended, and you're already here to fight me?"

I got straight to the point. "No. If what you offered the other day still stands, let's become mates."