The blood moon rose once more, casting its glow across the tribal square. Bonfires roared to life, drums pounded until the earth seemed to shake.Tonight was our night—William and I were to seal our blood oath.The tribe gathered in a wide circle, elders chanting the ancient words that bound wolf to moon. At the center, the Moonstone shimmered faintly, the mark of the goddess’s witness.William stood at my side. His palm, scarred and rough, pressed firmly over mine. The wound on his hand was old, but his grip was steady.Just as the vow was about to be completed, a hoarse roar shattered the ritual.“Stop! She’s mine!”Andrew stormed into the square, wild-eyed, clutching a silver blade that gleamed in the firelight. Gasps spread through the crowd—silver was a forbidden weapon, deadly to werewolf blood.“Evelyn,” he bellowed, his voice breaking with rage, “you belong to me! I am the Elder’s true heir!”He lunged forward, blade raised.In an instant, William stepped before me, arms wide,
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