Kael and Morvienne turned back to the stone altar, the full moon now hanging directly overhead, casting a brilliant silver glow over everything. The Elder stepped forward again, his voice solemn and deep. He called upon the Moon Goddess and the ancestors to witness the union, speaking of sacred bonds of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. He spoke of the joining of two souls, not just as mates, but as leaders of the pack. Afterward, he produced a ceremonial knife with a blade of polished obsidian. He took Kael's hand first, making a small, clean cut across his palm. Then, he did the same for Morvienne. "Join your hands," the Elder commanded. Kael and Morvienne pressed their palms together, skin to skin. Their blood mingled, warm and thick, before dripping down and soaking into the ancient stone of the altar. The moment the blood touched the stone, something happened that had never occurred in the history of the pack. The ancient markings carved into the altar began to glow with a fierc
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