Chapter 144: Preparations

ELARA’S POV

The time for the ritual was slowly approaching and the dread on most of the alphas and wolves faces had slowly shifted to one of anticipation.

It made me happy, although I could still see that some of them were wary about it, that would be resolved this night once the ritual was performed and power from the moon had flowed into all of them.

I went outside and watched as all the wolves rallied around, gathering wood for the fire, clearing the arena that would be used for the ritual, preparing food and drink.

Alicent saw me and walked up to me.

“Well, it seems like it’s all working out” she said, coming to stand beside me.

“It sure is, I really want to change their mind about it. I want them to know I would never have allowed such a ritual exist…”

“Yeah, but you weren’t existing, so don’t beat yourself too much about it” she turned to face me “I can already see the frown lines on your forehead, you’re overthinking things”

I let out a long breath “I know, I just can’t seem to understand where that belief stemmed from, like, what could have even convinced them that was a ritual for good luck, it’s crazy”

“It really is” she said, turning to face the wolves still doing their jobs “we never did it at our pack, you know? It was never a thing there, I guess our ancestors knew it was…not right”

“Really?” I was shocked, she hadn’t participated in this ritual. No one from her pack had.

She nodded “yeah, we just never did it, it seemed too archaic and our ancestors were always looking towards better days…and we are now in better days it seems” she smiled softly at me.

“I wish” I shook my head “it would be better days if the threat of Nyxar wasn’t looming over our heads” and if Beros wasn’t currently angry with me, but I didn’t say that last part out.

“It will be better Elara, it really will, all this…” she swept her hands broadly to the space in front of us “all this, won’t be for nothing. Maybe this is the reason you came here, not because of the fights, but for this sense of unity”

She said. I didn’t say anything.

“And I’m sure you’ll do it well” her lips curved into a smile “do you even remember the ritual?” She held a hand over her mouth as she giggled.

“Of course I do” I found myself laughing too “it’s been a long time, but I can never forget it”. I can never forget the feel of that power rushing through me. It was blood and electric and lightning. The moon essence would wash all over me, filling me to the brim, more than I could possibly take, before extending it from me to the wolves. I could never forget that feeling, it was addictive.

“I can see you smiling Elara” Alicent’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts “what are you thinking about?”

I turned to look at her, a scowl on my face “the ritual? What else would I be thinking about?”

She shrugged “I don’t know, maybe a certain silver eyed man”

The scowl on my face hardened the more “well he’s refused to talk to me” I folded my hands “so I let him be”

“Don’t you want to Dey talking to him again?”

“What? Of course not, he’s not even letting me access the bond” I nearly yelled, I quickly looked around to see if anyone heard me. At this point, I wasn’t feeling like an alright deity anymore, I felt like a young girl who had an argument with her lover, I didn’t like feeling this way. Beros should have come to his sense by now and stop these unnecessary tantrums.

“I mean, you did hurt him so…”

“What? Why is everyone saying that? Of course, I mean, I know I hurt him, but it wasn’t deliberate, I didn’t directly hurt him, did I? I waded through black magic to get him back. He’s just pissed because he thinks I’m gonna sacrifice myself again” I found myself ranting while Alicent just continued smiling at me.

“What’s the smile for?”

“Well it’s clear you miss him Elara”

“And…”

“Maybe try again, he’s been through something traumatic. Maybe that’s why he’s so jumpy anything you mention doing something against Nyxar” Alicent folded her hands too, mirroring my position.

“Exactly, and that’s what I’ve been trying to say” I grabbed my hair in my hands “I’m not gonna do anything like that anymore, but I’m definitely not gonna beg him, if he doesn’t want to talk to me, so be it!”

“You’re gonna fold Elara” she said, still smiling. That smile was beginning to unnerve me.

“No I’m not, you don’t really know me. You’ve only known me a few months. So no! I’m not gonna fold and I’m definitely not going to talk to him again. Infact, I’m gonna close the bond off too, he’s pissed me off enough”

“So you don’t care about him, is that what you’re saying?” She asked, her questions were beginning to seem weird and piss me off at the same time.

“I DO NOT, he can do whatever he wants for all he cares. He wants to close off the bond so I can’t reach him? Fine! I’ll do the same”

She continued smiling and burst into laughter, still staring at me.

“What the hell is wrong with you? What’s so funny about what I’ve been saying?” She was behaving so weird.

“Because I know you don’t mean a word you’re saying “ she continued laughing.

“I do, I mean every word, and when I see him. I’ll tell him the same thing too”.

“Then tell me now” a deep voice said from behind me.