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Seraphine’s POV

The moon was full above Shadowfang and thousands of wolves were present under the moon. 

Wolves lit torches that burned in a wide circle around the ancient stone altar. 

Tonight was the night I finally became Luna, not just Rhydian’s mate in secret, but bound by blood and magic in front of the entire pack. I felt so excited. 

I stood barefoot on the cold stone, wearing the white gown the elders had chosen. My hands trembled a little, but I hid it and pressed them together. 

Rhydian faced me, tall and strong in black, his silver eyes locked on mine. He looked calm, but trust me when I say he’s ruthless. 

His jaw was tightened and he hated crowds almost as much as he loved me.

The High Elder raised the ceremonial dagger. The blade caught the moonlight and threw it back.

Rhydian stepped closer. His fingers brushed mine calmly. “You ready, love?” he asked.

I nodded fast. My heart was racing. “I have never been more ready for anything in my life.”

He smiled faintly. My stomach flipped the way it always did when he looked at me like I was the only person in the world.

The elder started chanting old and powerful words. The air grew thick, and pressed against my skin. 

I felt the bond inside me stretch and pull, reaching for Rhydian. My wolf whined with joy, pawing at my chest, desperate to be closer to his wolf.

Rhydian lifted my hand and turned it palm up. The elder passed him the dagger. 

This was the moment. One cut across my palm, one across his, then we would press them together and the magic would seal us forever.

I looked up at Rhydian. “I love you,” I whispered.

His eyes softened. “I love you more.”

The dagger came down and pain exploded across my chest.

The pain wasn’t from my palm but from my chest. 

I looked down, confused. The blade was buried deep between my ribs, right under my heart. 

Blood gushed out hot and fast, it soaked the white dress instantly and my knees buckled.

Rhydian’s face changed. That calm smile vanished, his eyes widened with horror and his mouth opened but he didn’t say a word. 

Then a broken roar tore from his throat.

“Seraphine!”

I couldn’t breathe. The pain was killing me, I tried to grab the handle to pull it out but my hands were numb and my legs gave out completely. 

Rhydian caught me before I hit the stone, he dropped to his knees and pulled me against his chest.

“No, no, no, no,” he kept saying, over and over, rocking me. 

His hands pressed hard over the wound, as he tried to stop the blood but it kept gushing out warm and sticky between his fingers. 

I looked up at him. His face was pale, eyes wild and teary. Tears ran down his cheeks. I had never seen Rhydian cry before.

“Why?” I managed to choke out as blood filled my mouth.

He shook his head. “I didn’t—Seraphine, I didn’t mean—” His voice cracked. 

He looked at the dagger still in his hand like he didn’t understand how it got there.

The chanting had stopped. The pack was screaming, some wolves shifted and ran while others stood frozen. 

I saw Lysandra, my sister , at the edge of the circle, her hand over her mouth, eyes wide. 

She looked shocked, but her eyes had excitement in them.

My body started shaking and cold crept up my legs even though Rhydian’s arms were burning hot around me.

“I don’t want to die,” I whispered. Tears blurred everything. “Rhydian, I don’t want to leave you.”

“You’re not going anywhere,” he growled. His voice was fierce now, as if he could order death itself to stay away. “Stay with me, Seraphine. Look at me… please… stay. Don’t leave me.”

I tried… I really tried, but the pain faded into something numb gradually. My wolf howled inside me, scared and angry, clawing at nothing.

Rhydian leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine. His tears fell on my face. “Please,” he begged. “Please don’t leave me. I can’t do this without you.”

I wanted to tell him I loved him, I wanted to tell him I was scared, but my vision darkened at the edges.

His grip tightened. “Seraphine… forgive me,” he whispered with a broken voice. 

The world went black and I faded away.