Lahat ng Kabanata ng Lilly Riverwood and the Moon Rose Ritual: Kabanata 61 - Kabanata 70

 The second separation, though brief, was still uncomfortable. Lilly returned to the junior high for one more class before lunch, the phantom sensation once again throbbing with protest at the distance from her mates.   By the time lunch period arrived, Ruby was pacing restlessly within her. Lilly made her way to the courtyard that connected the two school buildings, trying not to appear too eager despite her wolf's insistence on haste.   Kenny and Axel were already there, sitting at a table with Luka and a few of their teammates. The casual arrangement was perfect, friends gathering for lunch, nothing to attract undue attention. Yet as Lilly approached the courtyard along with her friends Emma, Mia and Rachel, but they were not alone, Luka and Lilly’s cousins from overseas were in Riverwoo

Luna Harmony watched all three with knowing eyes, observing how the music seemed to strengthen the invisible threads binding them together. This was more than just a convenient cover story; music would clearly play a vital role in the development of their bond. As the final notes faded, a silence filled the room, not awkward, but reverent, as if none of them wanted to break the spell that had been cast. "That was..." Kenny began, his voice hushed. "Incredible," Axel finished for him. Lilly lowered her violin, a slight blush colouring her cheeks. "It's still rough. I haven't figured out the middle section yet." "It's coming along beautifully," Luna Harmony assured her. "Is this the piece you're con

"There's my beautiful daughter," Alpha Mick said warmly as Lilly approached with Luna. "Alpha Ryan, you remember Lilly?" "Of course," the Blackthorn Alpha replied with a smile that reminded Lilly strongly of Axel. "Your reputation as a violinist has reached even our pack. My son speaks highly of your talent." Lilly felt a flush of pleasure at the compliment, carefully keeping her eyes from seeking out Axel in the crowd. "Thank you, Alpha Ryan. Your son Axel is too kind." As they entered the dining hall, Lilly was acutely aware of multiple gazes following her, Emerald's curious, Amali's calculating, and somewhere in the crowd, Kenny and Axel's protective. She kept her chin high, moving with the grace her mother had taught her toward her assigned seat. 

"I'm not implying anything," she replied calmly. "I'm stating facts. The mark I saw is associated with only one thing, a triad bond blessed by the Goddess herself." Her eyes were fixed on Lilly. "And given Kenny's very public rejection of Amali, and the way both he and that Blackthorn boy watch you when they think no one's looking...it's not difficult to connect the dots."Lilly felt her heart racing, torn between denial and relief at having someone else who understood. "Emerald, please...""I haven't told Amali," Emerald interrupted, her expression softening slightly. "Or anyone else. But Lilly, a triad bond? At your age? That's... unprecedented.""It wasn't exactly planned," Lilly said quietly, making her decision. Emerald had already figured out too much to be misled by half-truths. "It started to happen the day Axel arrived. The next morning, our wolves started to wake up, making our bond snap into place. We're still trying to understand it ourselves."Luka sighed, recognising the

"It's not your fault," Lilly interrupted, wiping at her tears. "You can't be responsible for her actions." Axel took the place on her other side, his presence a solid comfort. "We'll fix this somehow. The competition, the violin, we'll find a way." The three sat in silence for a moment, their bond humming between them like a tangible thread. The phantom sensation had settled into a steady pulse, their proximity easing some of the raw edge of Lilly's grief. "I keep thinking about what Elder Gideon said," Lilly finally whispered. "About the darkness gathering. What if this is just the beginning? What if the prophecy means more challenges, more losses?" "Then we face them together," Kenny said firmly. "Thr