Chapter 13
Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
INDIGO'S POV
I felt the power of the moon as it rose high in the sky, a full, silver disk that seemed to pulse with an energy that made my skin prickle.
I couldn’t remember the last time I was this nervous. Back in Southside pack, I'd dreamed of a mate ceremony—a perfect night under the stars, with my heart completely set on Kamir. But that was in the past. Now, my life had twisted in ways I never saw coming, and I was standing here, in the thick of the woods, preparing to bind my soul…with Gage.
And only Gage.
It didn’t feel real. Not yet. With everything still at the back of my mind, the prophecy, Lyriq, Valtor…
I'd only allowed myself to accept Gage, he'd be my rock, the one who’ll be at my side, steady and strong, through every storm. He was sweet, protective, and exactly the kind of mate anyone would be lucky to have. I felt my heart settle a bit at the thought of him. If this ceremony really did what it was supposed to, then maybe I could finally have some peace.
But it was hard to relax, knowing that the others might be out there, lurking in the shadows. As I heard from students around; Lariq was a force of nature, sharp and precise, while Valtor had this calm but unpredictable aura about him, always hinting that he knew more than he let on.
I still didn't know either one of them well enough to testify.
But the thoughts of his warnings about some unknown threat…it weighed heavy on my mind.
Prophecy, I thought with a quiet huff. Gage had a way of bringing it up these past few days. The idea was still as ridiculous as the first time I heard it. I was certain I was no one's savior, and certainly not some kind of key to the packs’ unity. I just wanted to survive and find my place in this world without having the weight of some prophecy on my shoulders.
Gage’s voice pulled me back from my spiraling thoughts. “Indigo, are you sure you’re okay?” He reached out, his warm hand settling on my shoulder, grounding me.
I forced a smile, giving a quick nod. “Yeah, Gage. I’m fine,” I said, even though my heart was racing. I could see the worry etched into his eyes, but I didn’t want him fretting over me. Not tonight.
“What exactly happens in this…ceremony?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. I wasn’t about to admit I had no clue what to expect.
Gage let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. “Honestly? I’m not an expert either. From what I’ve heard, it’s simple enough. We just go under the moon, call to the Goddess, and…well, seal it with a kiss.”
My cheeks warmed at his words. A kiss. Or more, I thought, my mind wandering in ways that only made my heart race faster. I know he could feel it too.
The idea of sealing myself to my childhood friend, feeling our souls entwine, was both thrilling and terrifying. But it was better than being bound to three mates I couldn’t fully understand—or control.
As the moon climbed higher, casting an eerie glow over the woods, Gage took my hand and led me to a small clearing. The trees seemed to form a protective circle around us, and the silence of the forest only made everything feel more intense. Gage knelt down, reaching into his bag to pull out a piece of magic chalk. With steady hands, he began to draw a circle around us, the symbols ancient and intricate, connecting them to something older and more powerful than either of us.
As the chalk dust settled, I glanced up, feeling a tug deep in my chest, like the moon itself was calling my name.
Just as Gage finished, two figures stepped out from the shadows.
Lariq and Valtor!
I felt my breath catch as they approached, each of them radiating a power that made the air around them seem to hum. Lariq’s dark eyes locked onto mine, his gaze intense, smoldering with a fire that was impossible to ignore. Valtor, on the other hand, was a quiet storm, his expression unreadable but his presence undeniable.
“Indigo,” Lariq said, his voice low and smooth, “this ceremony isn’t complete without us.”
Gage stiffened beside me, his grip tightening on my hand. My heart was pounding, each beat echoing loud in my ears. Like Gage said, this was supposed to be my choice! My chance to bind myself to the mate I felt most connected to. And yet, here they all were, each one claiming me in their own way.
Valtor stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. “We all feel the same pull, Indigo. The bond calls to each of us, and tonight…it’s different.” He looked up at the moon, his gaze distant. “Something’s shifting. The Goddess is watching.”
My mind spun. How could I possibly go through with this? The idea of being tied to all three of them, of sharing my soul with each Alpha, felt both overwhelming and strangely…right.
Before I could speak, the air changed, turning thick and heavy. The moon above us pulsed, the soft silver glow turning to a deep, unsettling red. I felt a chill crawl up my spine as the forest grew silent, every creature falling still. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath.
In the silence, a figure began to materialize, ethereal and radiant, her form cloaked in light. The Goddess. My knees gave out as I looked upon the divine figure, my heart pounding in awe and fear.
The Goddess’s eyes met mine, a knowing smile curving her lips. No words were spoken, but I felt a rush of understanding, a deep, ancient knowledge pouring into her. The Goddess’s gaze swept over Gage, Lariq, and Valtor, before she looked back at me, as if to say This is your path.
And just as quickly as she’d appeared, the Goddess vanished, leaving us in the eerie glow of the red moon.
When I looked down, I felt it—a pull, a weight in my chest that told me something irreversible had happened. The bond was there, humming through my veins, connecting me not just to Gage, but to Lariq and Valtor as well.
I was bound to all three Alphas. My mates.