جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 10

**Eirian's Pov**By the time I reached the ceremony grounds, the place was already packed.I told myself not to expect anything. Years of practice had taught me not to hope; it was second nature now. I was only here because attendance was mandatory, as the last person to ignore the ceremony summons had lost their wolf within two weeks.A massive bonfire burned at the center of the clearing, lighting up the night. The moon altar was erected at the side of it, a raised platform made of pale stone and covered in symbols I couldn't read. No one had ever taught me their meaning. Sacred knowledge was passed down to children considered worthy of learning.I found a place near the treeline, hidden behind a large oak tree. At least, from there, people could see that I was present, but I wouldn't get in anyone's way.I waited quietly.A group of girls nearby giggled among themselves. They sounded confident and excited, extremely sure the night would go well for them. They wore beautiful new gow

**Eirian's Pov**He wasn't what I expected.Not that I knew exactly what I had imagined. The stories about Vorath Kane were always told in low tones. Mothers used them to frighten misbehaving pups, and over the years, those stories grew scarier and more dramatic.One tale claimed he had once held a rival Alpha by the throat until the man's entire pack swore loyalty just to make it stop. Another said he ended a war between three Lycan clans in a single night without drawing a weapon.Then another said, any woman who shared his bed never lived to see the next day.It was even heard that his own council feared him more than death itself. But right now, he seemed unfazed by the stories, only mildly bothered by them.He was impossibly tall. His presence alone demanded attention; his broad shoulders made the ranked warriors around him seem smaller somehow. His face was hard and unreadable. Sharp eyes scanned the crowd with an expression that wasn't cold, only completely unimpressed.Unlike

**Eirian's Pov**The carriage rocked as it rolled along the winding road, and I placed a hand on the seat to keep my balance.For the first time in my life, I was leaving my home.The familiar green trees from home gradually disappeared, replaced by tall black pine trees that stood like guards on both sides of the road. I watched them through the small window, counting them the way I used to count my breaths whenever life became too hard to bear.My forearm still stung where the mate mark had burned into my skin as I rubbed the cloth covering it, wondering if it was supposed to feel like this.I remembered the look on Vorath's face at the altar. His eyes had widened for a brief moment before his usual cold expression slid back into place. I had seen surprise, maybe even fear, on his face. I wasn't sure which scared me more, the mark itself or the fact that it had frightened him too. A man like Vorath wasn't supposed to fear anything.He hadn't spoken to me since then.I could see him

**Eirian's Pov**After Nessa left, ​I had my bath and changed into the nightgown she had laid out. The silk was soft on my skin, though it was a bit tight, like it was made for someone two sizes smaller.​I smoothed the strained fabric over my thighs with a bitter, humorless sigh. Guess they didn't expect their Luna to be bigger than average.​My mind was still trapped in the horror of what I had just learned. None of them ever left alive. Every second inside this place felt like a countdown to my execution.​I walked over to the tall window, looking out into the environment beyond the castle walls. Escape wasn't an option. I was completely at the mercy of the King—and whatever dark fate had consumed the women before me.I finally took a proper look around the room that was now supposed to be mine.It was bigger than any room I had ever slept in. The bed alone was large enough to fit three of me, even with my size. Its deep blue cover was embroidered with silver thread that shimmered

**Eirian's Pov**Nessa found me a few minutes after Kaelan left. She was gasping for air from searching the hallways."My Lady!" she cried out frantically, "Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you! Please don't scare me like that again. I was already panicking, trying to figure out what I’d tell the King. 'I lost your Luna on her second day'—he’d have my head for sure!"I reached out and squeezed her shoulder to calm her down, letting her lead me back to my chambers without arguing. My thoughts were still stuck on Kaelan's warning.Never ask him about his first mate.I had barely taken a few bites of the bread and honey Nessa brought when a knock sounded on the door. I raised my head just as the door opened. Vorath stood in the entryway, practically filling the entire frame in his usual black attire. How can someone love the colour black so much? His eyes scanned the room, then landed on me.Nessa scrambled to her feet, nearly knocking over the breakfast tray in her