Chapter 16: The Trial of the Moon“Samuel… you’re not thinking of walking into that fire alone, are you?” Adrian’s voice was low, dangerous, sharp.“I have to,” Samuel said, his hands tightening into fists. “If I fail the Trial of the Moon, everything… everything dies. The twins, the pack, us. I can’t risk it.”“You won’t be alone,” Adrian said, stepping closer, his silver eyes flashing. “If you go in, I go with you. That’s final.”“You don’t understand—” Samuel began, but the roar of the ceremonial flames cut him off.“You don’t get it,” Adrian growled. “I’m bonded to you. That trial isn’t just yours. It’s ours. One soul. One bond. One fire.”Samuel’s jaw tightened. He looked at the circle of moonlit flames. The elders waited. The Trial of the Moon was known to claim those unworthy—or divide the bond for eternity. To enter alone was death, or worse, permanent severance of the bond.“I can’t risk losing you,” Samuel said, voice low but steady. “Even if it kills me, I’ll do this for us
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