Chapter 4 The Ritual of Three
Chapter 4 The Ritual of Three
Alicia’s POV
The world around me was nothing but noise and rain. Wolves shouted, lightning cracked above us, and the scent of blood filled the air. I was on my knees, shaking, trying to breathe through the fire tearing through my chest. The pain of the mate bond ripping apart burned deep, like silver melting through my veins. Somewhere nearby, Ray was screaming too. His voice was hoarse, broken, desperate.
And then a roar silenced everything.
“Enough!”
The voice came from the center of the chaos. It was old, powerful, and heavy as thunder. Elder Pascal, the oldest wolf in Dark Night Pack, stepped forward. His fur was streaked with white, his eyes sharp with age and wisdom. When he shifted back into his human form, everyone bowed their heads without being told. Even Vincent.
The storm quieted as if it feared him.
Pascal's voice sounded like a command even though it was calm.
You are all aware of the significance of this pain. Their bond is rejected by nature itself. However, he stopped and stared at me. "...there's only one way to stop it." The throng whispered. I could hardly raise my head.
Ray staggered over to me, his face white with the stress of the severing bond, his shirt ripped. He reached for mine, his hands shaking.
As soon as our fingers touched, we were forced apart by another wave of pain.
Pascal's gaze became softer. "You two will perish before the next moonrise if this keeps up."
The silence was broken by Vincent's voice. Then stop it right away. Before she destroys us all, kill her.
The ground shook from Ray's deep growl. "I'll tear your heart out if you touch her."
Silencing them, the Elder held up a hand. "Don't make any more threats. Both of you, pay attention to me. His eyes glowed a faint gold as he knelt before me.
He spoke slowly, "There is an ancient ritual." "Older than any pack law. "It’s called the Rite of Balance, created for moments when the Moon Goddess's bonds twist against itself. When one heart is tied to more than one destiny. The bond needs to be balanced in order to save you both.
My mouth quivered. "How was it balanced?"
Pascal looked from Ray to me. “Before the next full moon, you need to locate three more people who are meant to be your true mates.
To save your lives and purify this abomination, we will need the power of the found united together.
At first, the words didn't make any sense to me.
Three mates?
Wolves only had one true mate, so the idea was doomed.
One heart for another. It was a crime against nature to do otherwise. The crowd erupted in gasps.
“That’s forbidden!” someone yelled.
"She's cursed!" said another voice.
Vincent spat on the floor. Would you allow this abomination to roam free? She has caused enough embarrassment.
I experienced doubt for the first time, a feeling colder than fear.
All my life, I believed that the Moon Goddess was kind. That every love was predestined and every bond was sacred. But, what kind of goddess would curse her own creation if this pain originated with her?
Did I get a beautiful curse or was I really chosen?
Ray's voice was rough as he stumbled to his feet. "She is my mate. What you call her is irrelevant to me. She stays” But even as he spoke, his hand clutched his chest, his body trembling with fear.
I felt a sharp, tearing pain that made me scream as his face twisted in agony.
Pascal got back up and spoke louder. “Both will perish if she doesn't finish the ceremony. Their bond will rot their hearts from within. But, if she is successful…” His eyes glowed brighter as he turned to face me. "Then she will transform into a True Luna, who will be able to bind multiple Alphas, something this world hasn't seen in a thousand years."
Like an impending storm, the words lingered in the atmosphere. I sensed that everyone was watching me, with fear, awe, and hate.
As though I had the plague, a few wolves moved away. People gazed at me as if I were a living prophecy.
The silence was broken by Vincent's growl. She is not Luna. She is death disguised as a human. You all witnessed what she did. She doesn’t deserve to live!”
I wanted to fight him. To scream back. But all I could do was look at Ray. His eyes, which were normally so strong and certain, were filled with pain.
His legs gave way as he attempted to stand once more.“Don't." He said in-between his breath. "Avoid doing it. I'll figure something else out. I can make this right.
Tears mixed with the rain as I shook my head. "What is already broken cannot be fixed."
His voice was shaking as he reached out. "I will not allow you to leave."
Pascal spoke steadily. "You have to. The pain will only worsen with each moment you spend together.
Ray's mouth clenched. He glanced back at me after glancing at the Elder. He lowered his voice to a low growl.“I own her,” he said, his voice cracking between fury and heartbreak "She is mine. Every breath, every scar, every heartbeat, belongs to me.”
Pascal's gaze became softer. "You two will then die together."
The silence that followed was heavy. Nobody spoke a word. Not even the storm dared to move.
Monty stepped out from the crowd, his voice calm but steady.
“I’ll go first.”
The words broke the silence like a bolt of lightning.
All the wolves turned to look at Ray's Beta, his best friend actually.
All of a sudden, the man who had always been quiet and devoted stood in the shadows like a storm about to blow.
He approached me slowly while maintaining eye contact. His hair remained damp, with dark strands falling across his forehead, even though the rain had stopped.
He had a deep expression that made my chest tighten, but there was no sign of fear. Silently, he said, "I can't watch you die." "I could tell there was something... different the moment I laid eyes on you. You were his, so I tried to ignore it. But I can no longer.
Ray's expression twisted in shock. "Don't, Montey."
But Monty continued. He moved closer and closer until I could smell his smoke and cedar. His eyes grew softer. "Let me participate in this ritual if it can save your life. Permit me to bear some of the suffering.
No one moved for a long time.
Ray's hands were clenched, his eyes flickering with pain as he stood motionless.
Pascal observed in silence, the moonlight reflected in the dim light in his eyes.
I gave Monty my full attention. His words were truthful. No secret hunger. Just the silent truth. A wolf willing to put his life in danger for me.
I knew what it cost a wolf to say those words. To bind himself to another mate was to risk the madness. Yet Monty says those words and his voice didn't break for a second.
My heart hurt.
This was not what I wanted. All I wanted was Ray and no one else but, the bond was killing us both.
And Monty… he was offering me hope,when everything was crumbling.
As I spoke, my lips quivered. "Are you certain?"
He gave one nod. "I'd rather take a chance than see you perish.
“I briefly forgot about the crowd, the storm, the cold, and everything else. All I could hear was his voice and the pressure of his words on my heart.
The silence was broken by Ray's voice, which was rough with pain. "I own her."
Monty looked at him. Calm and steady. "Then assist me in saving her."
The tension in the room was enough to choke on.
I felt Ray’s pain like a pulse inside me. It was a mixture of jealousy, grief, love, and something else that I could not place my hands on.
Pascal spoke again. His voice, deep and calm. “The ritual begins with choice. If the heart accepts, it cannot be undone.”
I swallowed hard, felt like my mouth was glued together as I was unable to speak. The world around me went blurry. All I could feel was the weight of two hearts tied to mine, one was breaking, the other one beginning to beat.
The moon slipped from behind the clouds, spilling silver light over us.
That’s when I realized that nothing about this would ever be simple again.
That's when I realized that love was no longer my blessing. It was my test.
And for the first time since the night I met Ray,
I was afraid of what love could do and what it could turn me into.