The Rings Novels & Stories

Harlan prompts. "I vow to offer my vulnerability," I say, my voice ringing clear. "And to demand your respect. I vow to share my darkness and my light. I vow to be bound with you, eternally." Harlan nods. "The rings." Lena steps forward, holding a cushion. These aren't just metal. They are smart-rings, black titanium with a vein of glowing blue light running through the center. Alex slides mine onto my finger. I slide his onto his.

I had almost nothing to my name, a few pieces of clothing, my mother's locket, and whatever coins remained in Zane's pouch. "Where are these Rings?" I asked reluctantly. "The closest one operates in Millbrook, that human city about fifty miles south." He pulled out a worn flyer from a drawer. "They hold fights three nights a week. Mostly Betas and low-level Alphas, though occasionally someone stronger shows up." "They're always recruiting." He handed me the flyer. "You'd fight under a false name, keep your face partially covered, get in and get out. No one needs to know who you really are."

Ross’s brows moved, as if he finally sensed something was wrong, but I had already picked up the resignation letter and placed it back on his desk. “So I resign.” Then I reached for the thin chain at my neck and took off the silver ring hanging beneath my collar. It was the ring I had designed for us years ago. Ross had once asked to wear his openly, but when the company began to grow, he said it was better not to let people know about us yet. So I kept mine hidden against my heart and told myself secrecy was also a kind of protection. Now even that felt absurd. In front of him, I placed the ring on the desk.

We take turns each with our vows, and by the time we’re done, there’s tears in Sarah’s eyes, and mine, and Jaxon’s. “The rings,” the priest prompts. We each have a ring for her. Simple bands that stack together. White gold, rose gold, and platinum. Each one engraved with our initials and the date. Ronan slides his on first. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Jaxon next. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Then me. “With this ring, I thee wed.” Three rings. Three promises. Three forevers. When it’s Sarah’s turn, her little ring bearer appears with three boxes each.

But I kept my gaze down, refusing to acknowledge it, refusing to give in to the emotions swirling inside me. Bands of matrimony appeared on our ring fingers. Raphael’s was silver with an emerald in its center, representing my eyes. Mine was silver with a red gem adorning it, also representing his eyes. The rings were sacred, sent directly by the moon goddess herself, only given to Alphas and Lunas. They could not be removed; they were linked to the fibers of the skin. Only amputation was the way to be rid of them. “You may now kiss to seal the bond,” the officiant announced.

“I’m just the incubator.” Grinning, Trigg asked, “Do you two have rings for your incubator?” They both pulled the rings out their cut pockets. Trigg motioned for them to give them to her and they slipped both onto her finger with the other two. All four rings would interlock creating three interwoven hearts. Evie pulled their rings out of her skirt pocket. Both rings were black tungsten with gold bands along the edges. On the inside of the men’s rings were all three of their initials, the date and ‘3 Became 1.’ Reed already planned to add the same to her rings once they were sealed together.

Inside the box were three rings. "Will you marry me?" The view of the rings in the warm light of the candles made the rings even more charming. Bianca couldn’t understand why there were three rings, but even after a quick look, she could say which one was supposed to be hers. The smaller one with the writing: Crow. But right then, her eyes noticed another writing: Crowolf. The ring looked out of this world, filled with some difficult-to-name force, emanating from the round shape and the writing itself. It shone in the flames of the candles as if it were alive.

The two of them had been slaving away for an hour trying to pick the perfect rings. Samson had picked out a three-stone ring with hexagon moss agate and moissanite set in black gold. The ring had a string of leaves above the three stones truly signifying Gertrude's connection to nature. Samson commented that the ring would fit Gertrude well.

She said. “Please for the boys now.” I asked and they packed all the ones on the table and brought in another set. These ones were filled with studs, clips, ice, rings. The rings caught my attention. “Please get me the most recent design for rings that just came out.” The attendants brought them out and laid them in front of me. It was hard to choose, they came in sets for three rings per a pack. I bought two different sets and decided to ask for another thing.

Outside the cave. “Hubby, you’re back.” Luna saw Andrius come out and immediately greeted him, asking curiously, “What treasures did the Demon Emperor leave behind?” Kate, Halle, Otto, and the others all perked up their ears and widened their eyes. “Nothing much.” Andrius shook his head and showed his hands to everyone. “Just two rings.” Two rings... Luna did not ask further. However, Otto showed a different expression on his face when he saw the two rings.