Chapter 40

Elara’s POV

The ceremony began with a howl. Not just one but from the twenty of us.

The entire pack stood in the training grounds, transformed for tonight. Crimson ribbons danced in the wind. Fire pits burned low around the perimeter, casting flickers of orange light over the sea of red-hooded figures.

It was beautiful and terrifying, all at once. The kind of scene that made your heart beat faster, and your breath catch simultaneously.

Each of us raised our faces to the moon and let our wolves speak as we howled again. It was a call to the Moon Goddess. A declaration that we were here, together, as one pack to receive her blessings.

The Oracle’s voice cut through the night next, loud and laced with ancient power.

“We call upon the Mother. She who bled the moon and bore the wolf. Bless these children of your light. Bring forth their truth.”

We all stepped forward.

One by one, we were handed goblets by the Oracle’s assistant. The