His thumb brushed against the back of my hand, a barely-there movement that felt more intimate than it should have in the middle of the ritual.
Something about that small gesture made me feel grounded, yet weightless at the same time. It was as if, for that brief moment, nothing else existed—not the gathered crowd, not the expectations, not even the whispers of my own doubts.
Just him and me, bound by this ancient vow.
The elder’s voice continued the ceremony, but I barely heard it. My senses were overwhelmed—by the heat of Lirian’s palm against mine, the mingling of our blood in the chalice, the steady strength in his gaze.
When we finally broke contact, I felt the loss immediately, as if a part of me had been tethered to him in that moment and wasn’t ready to let go.
The elder handed me a ceremonial dagger, its blade gleaming under the midday sun. I glanced at the other person standing before me, their expression solemn.
Together, we made the first cut across our palms, the sharp sting making me wince but only for a moment. The blood welled up, crimson and vivid, before dripping into the silver chalice between us.
The mingling drops shimmered, as if holding the unspoken bond we were forging.
We clasped our hands, blood and intent blending. The elder began the incantation, his deep voice resonating in the clearing.
As we repeated after him, our voices strong and unified, I felt a strange warmth envelop me, starting from our joined hands and spreading through my entire being.
“We promise to protect the members of the pack and those in need with our lives, to love them as we love our own family.”
The words felt heavy, not like a burden, but a responsibility I was proud to bear. As the ritual concluded, a wave of clarity washed over me. I suddenly understood why my parents had given their lives to protect the wolves.
They hadn’t done it out of obligation alone but out of love—an all-encompassing, unshakable devotion to something greater than themselves.
Stepping into their shoes, I felt a part of the hurt from my past life dissolve. It was as though a weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying had been lifted, leaving me lighter and freer than I’d felt in years. I could finally breathe. This was where I belonged.
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That evening, the engagement ceremony gave way to a grand banquet. The venue was a dazzling display of luxury—tables adorned with white linen, crystal glasses reflecting the golden light of chandeliers, and a sea of impeccably dressed guests.
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