The sound that rips from him is more than a roar — it’s anguish. He shifts, white wolf howling at the sky, then limps into the forest.
“Wait! I—” My throat closes.
The red eyes lining the forest vanish as well. Leaving me utterly alone again.
“Congratulations on being the first to arrive at the Sacred Tree.” a voice cuts through the night.
I turn, trembling to see the eldest priest standing tall, family and Alphas gathered behind him.
“You may have your choice of any mate as your prize. Who do you choose?”
Tears spill freely now, burning my cheeks. My voice shakes, but holds steady enough.
“I…” I clear my throat, forcing the words out. “I choose to leave unmated.”
The older priest doesn’t look pleased but he nods.
Roman is at my side in an instant, pulling me away from prying eyes. His hand is firm on my arm, grounding me, but I feel like I might shatter anyway. I wipe my face, swallowing the sob that claws at my throat.
I barely know Thorn. We’ve spoken for a handful of days, circled each other for a week. But mysoulknows him. My soul aches for him.
Cullen approaches us, his face pale under the moonlight. “You’re covered in blood, are you okay? What happened? Why are there three dead wolves?”
“There was a Challenge,” I manage, my voice hoarse.
“For you?” His eyes widen.
“For everything. Alpha. Me.”
“Who won?” he looks around, scanning the sacred grounds as if Thorn might appear from the shadows. “No one is here.”
“Thorn.” His name catches in my throat. “Thorn won.”
“Then where is he?”
“I …” The words won’t come. My voice finally breaks, my chest caves, and I choke on the truth. Cullen studies me for a long, quiet moment, then nods grimly. “You didn’t choose him.”
My head bows, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks.
Cullen runs his fingers through his hair, pacing back and forth slowly. “Ember, you know, if it’s about Roman, we would have taken care of him.”
“I…” My chest burns. They don’t understand. I could never put that burden on anyone. Thorn included. Besides, I don’t want to be away from him. He’s my brother, my last living relative. My last piece of home.
Roman’s gaze flicks between us, sharp, knowing. “It was, wasn’t it?”
“No…no.” I shake my head, but it feels weak, hollow. “It was a lot of things.”
His young face steels with determination. “You know I’m a big wolf, Ember, I can handle myself. Plus, I can join the Guard next year when I turn nine.”
A tear slips down my cheek. Gods, he’s still a boy, though he talks like a man. “I know, it was more than that. I just…I’m not ready.”
They both nod, though I see the silent exchange of frustration and confusion between them. Finally, Cullen exhales, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder. “Congrats on your win.We start the return with our new mated wolves at daybreak. Go rest.”
Rest. The word is laughable. There’s no rest inside me, not tonight. Not ever again.
So instead, I shift, auburn fur exploding over my body, and I run. I run until the forest blurs, until the cool wind dries the salt of my tears, until my paws ache from pounding the earth. But nothing makes it easier for me to breathe.
When I return to the temple, it is an hour before dawn. The sky is a bruise of purple and gray and the stone walls loom like a shadow above me.