THE RITUAL

THE RITUAL


Delilah

The air in the grand hall was heavy. Not just with silence, but with secrets. Many eyes were on me. Some were watching with care. Some were waiting to see me fail.

But I stood strong.

Even if I didn’t know everything yet, I was sure of one thing, the people who planned this betrayal were right here in this very hall. They were watching. Pretending to be loyal. But I knew. I could feel it deep inside my heart.

Elder Kade was not the real enemy. He was just a puppet. Someone they pushed forward to take the blame. A shield to protect their true faces. They used him like a pawn in a big, dangerous game.

I may look young, and I may have come from a humble background. But I was not a fool.

No.

I had seen behind their fake smiles and sweet voices. I had seen through their tricks. I knew what this was…and I was ready to fight back. I was going to beat them at their own game.

They dared to accuse my King? My mate? The one who gave everything for this pack?

How dare they try to use his pain and weakness against him?

Yes, I was angry. I was burning on the inside. But I didn’t show it. I kept my face calm. I made my hands still. I smiled, just like Rosa had taught me.

“Always look calm, Delilah,” Rosa once said. “Let them think they’ve won. That’s when you win.”

So I smiled. I made my eyes soft. But inside of me, I was fire. I was wind. I was ready.

Then the crowd opened.

A tall woman walked out. She was powerful. Her eyes were sharp, and her steps were strong. She was not just pretty…she was a trained fighter. A warrior. Her hair was braided tightly, and her arms were covered in scars of battles she had survived.

This woman was my opponent.

She came forward, standing in the center of the hall. The crowd stepped back, making space. The hall was quiet, but there was tension. Everyone was watching us.

Slowly, I removed the royal robe I wore. Underneath, I had a simple fighting outfit. It was fitted, dark, and easy to move in. I stepped down from the throne where I had been sitting.

“Be careful, Delilah,” the king whispered to me as I passed by. His voice was soft, but filled with worry.

I looked at him and gave a small smile. “I will be fine,” I said.

He trusted me.

I stood in front of the woman. She smirked. She thought she could defeat me easily. I saw the pride in her eyes. She believed I was just a weak girl who got lucky.

She didn’t know me.

Around the room, some Lycans started chanting under their breath. Their hands moved slowly, as if weaving magic. But I was one step ahead. Earlier, I had found the elixirs they carried. I had replaced them all with plain water. The real elixir was safe in my pocket.

Their spells would not work.

An Elder walked to the center of the room and raised his hand.

“This challenge will be simple,” he said. “The first person to fall to the ground will lose.”

Everyone nodded. The woman and I both stepped into the center of the circle.

Suddenly, she ran toward me with great speed. Her hand swung out, aiming for my face. I moved aside quickly. She missed.

She turned and came at me again, faster, stronger, angry. I dodged again.

Three times she attacked. Three times she failed.

Then I felt something strange.

A wave of dark magic was coming toward me. I could not see it, but I felt it, like cold wind on my back. I jumped out of the way just in time.

But the magic hit the woman instead.

The force of the dark energy slammed into her. She flew backward and hit the ground hard. The hall gasped. Everyone stared.

She didn’t move.

The room fell silent.

I didn’t even touch her. I had only defended myself. I had won.

The king stood and walked to me. His face was soft now, filled with pride. He took the robe and gently placed it back over my shoulders.

“I am proud of you,” he whispered.

I bowed my head, feeling the warmth of his words settle in my heart.

Then he turned to the crowd.

“From this day forward,” he said, “Delilah is your queen. She is your Luna.”

The crowd clapped. Many cheered. But not all.

Some faces were cold. Some smiled too quickly. Some did not smile at all.

And Rosa?

I looked at her. Her mask slipped for a second. I saw fear. She didn’t expect this. She thought I would lose.

I would wait. I would not speak yet. But I had seen what I needed to see. I would keep it close.

The king raised his hand again. “The search for the traitors will begin at dawn. All warriors must meet me. This meeting is now over.”

People began to move.

But I stepped forward.

“Wait,” I said. My voice was louder than I expected. It echoed in the big hall. Everyone stopped.

“There is one more thing,” I said.

I turned slowly. Then I lifted my hand and pointed. My magic moved. The shadows in the corner of the room began to shift.

Three figures appeared.

Three Lycans who had been hiding in the dark. Their faces were shocked. Their cloaks fell off.

Gasps filled the room.

I looked around. “These are the ones who tried to ruin today’s ritual. They poisoned the truth. They brought lies into this sacred hall.”

Silence.

And then, noise. People shouted. They called for justice. They wanted answers.

I looked at Rosa one last time.

She w
as scared. Her face showed it.

She didn’t expect me to survive this.

But I did.

And this… this was only the beginning.