Chapter 11 Bloodbound Rite
Selene entered the classroom just as the bell rang, her steps unhurried, expression light. The usual chatter buzzed through the room, chairs scraping, papers rustling but her eyes swept the space out of habit and landed immediately on Kai.
Her sister sat near the window, a book open in her hands, posture calm, almost studious. Sunlight caught the edges of her hair, giving her that familiar, gentle glow she always seemed to wear when she wanted to look harmless.
The sight alone drew a soft, incredulous laugh from Selene’s lips.
Reading.
Selene shook her head faintly as she walked over. Of all the masks Kai wore, this one always amused her the most. The quiet girl. The thoughtful sister. The image of innocence. As if she hadn’t just been weaving rumors like silk threads only hours ago, watching them spread and tangle around Selene’s name.
She slid into the seat beside her without ceremony.
Kai looked up, blinking as though startled, then frowned slightly. “What’s funny?”
“Sis,” Selene said lightly, leaning closer, resting her chin on her hand. “You won’t believe what just happened.”
Kai closed her book with measured care, fingers lingering on the cover as if grounding herself. She inhaled once, slowly, before turning to Selene. “Spill.”
The enthusiasm in her tone was practiced and it is too smooth and quick. Fake excitement radiated from her like perfume, sweet and cloying. Selene noticed it immediately and chose, deliberately, to ignore it.
“Can you believe it?” Selene chuckled, shaking her head as if amused rather than bothered. “Someone actually tried to bully me. Accusing me of plotting things I don’t even know about.”
Kai’s brows knit together. “Are you?”
The question slipped out sharper than intended, cutting through the air between them.
Selene turned fully toward her, eyes widening just enough to look hurt, lips parting slightly. “What do you mean? Are you questioning me too?”
For a brief moment, Kai froze.
Then, just as quickly, her expression softened. Her shoulders relaxed, and she reached out, grabbing Selene’s hand, squeezing it gently as if to reassure her.
The coldness of her touch sent a violent ripple through Selene’s chest.
Her wolf recoiled instantly.
“Rip her throat,” it snarled. “She lies with every breath.”
“No—what I meant is,” Kai said quickly, voice warm with concern, thumb brushing Selene’s knuckles, “are you okay? Did they hurt you?”
Selene smiled.
Slowly, carefully, she pulled her hand away and lifted both palms to cup Kai’s face instead. Her touch was tender, affectionate and perfect. Anyone watching would see nothing but sisterly concern.
“I’m fine,” Selene said sweetly. “Thank you for worrying about me, sis.”
Kai visibly relaxed and relieved or pretending to be and before she could respond, the classroom door opened.
The professor entered without her usual easy smile, her presence commanding immediate silence. Conversations died mid-sentence. Chairs stilled. She placed her bag down with purpose, gaze sweeping across the room as though weighing each student individually.
“Good morning,” she said.
“Good morning, Professor,” the class echoed.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” the professor continued. “Classes will be shortened today.”
A murmur rippled through the room. Someone groaned softly from the back. Others leaned forward, intrigued.
“I believe you’ve heard that there was an emergency faculty meeting days back,” she said. “Regarding an event many of you have already heard whispers about—and some of you,” she added pointedly, “are far too excited about.”
A few students laughed nervously.
She paused.
“The Bloodbound Rite.”
The reaction was immediate. Excitement, fear, curiosity are all colliding at once. Whispers erupted, only barely contained. Kai straightened beside Selene, interest sharpening in her eyes, lips curving faintly.
“The Bloodbound Rite,” the professor said, activating the screen behind her, “is an ancient challenge revived within Red Moon University. To many, it is believed to be a contest of honor and dominance.”
The image shifted—wolves beneath a crimson moon, claws bared, eyes glowing with feral intensity.
“But its true purpose runs far deeper,” she continued. “The Rite exists to determine who has the right to stand beside another under the Moon Goddess’s favor.”
Selene’s wolf stirred, ears pricking, attention sharpening.
“Once invoked,” the professor said, voice firm, “no rank, no bond, no lie can fully shield the one being claimed.”
A hand shot up immediately. “Professor, is it true that mates can be challenged?”
“Yes,” she answered without hesitation. “Including fated mates.”
The room fell silent.
A girl near the front sucked in a sharp breath. Someone else muttered a curse under their breath. Kai’s fingers curled slowly against the desk, knuckles paling.
Another student raised his hand. “Isn’t that… sacrilegious?”
“The Moon Goddess values truth above comfort,” the professor replied coolly. “False bonds, forced bonds, and broken vows have no protection beneath her light.”
“The Rite was once banned,” she went on. “Too much blood was spilled. Too many bonds shattered. Too many wolves lost themselves to obsession.”
She changed the slide—ancient texts, cracked stone tablets.
“But as tensions between packs rise, the council has allowed its return—under strict conditions.”
She listed them carefully.
“A contested claim must be declared publicly. Both challenger and defender must accept. Once invoked, withdrawal is impossible.”
A student near the aisle raised her hand hesitantly. “What if the one being claimed refuses?”
“Their consent is… complicated,” the professor said. “The Rite tests truth. If the Moon Goddess deems the challenge valid, refusal holds little weight.”
Uneasy murmurs spread.
Another student asked, “What about the trials?”
“There are three,” the professor replied. “Dominance. Truth. And Will.”
Her voice lowered at the last.
“The final trial tests devotion,” she said. “What you are willing to sacrifice—and who.”
Selene raised her hand.
“Yes, Miss Selene?”
“What happens,” Selene asked calmly, voice steady, “if someone challenges an existing bond and wins?”
The professor held her gaze longer than necessary. “Then the bond may be severed.”
A gasp echoed through the room.
“And the mate?” Selene pressed.
“They are re-claimed under lunar law,” the professor replied.
Silence.
Selene nodded slowly and leaned back in her seat.
Beside her, Kai smiled.
Not brightly. Not openly.
But with calculation and barely restrained excitement.
The bell rang not long after, dismissing the class early.
“You may now go and prepare yourselves,” the professor said. “I have a meeting to attend.”
In less than a second, she was gone.
The room exploded into noise.
“Did you hear that?”
“Mates can be challenged—are you serious?”
“This is insane.”
“This is perfect.”
Kai leaned toward Selene, voice low. “You ask dangerous questions.”
Selene smiled softly. “I’ve always been curious.”
They walked home together later, conversation light, footsteps in sync, but parted early at the forest path. Selene continued alone, the crunch of leaves beneath her shoes grounding her thoughts.
Her house was quiet when she arrived. Her aunt wasn’t home yet.
Selene climbed the stairs, changed clothes, and lay down—meaning only to rest her eyes.
Hours later, she woke, heart pounding faintly, moonlight spilling through the window.
The Bloodbound Rite lingered in her thoughts.
Dominance. Truth. Will.
Mates can be challenged.
If the Rite could break a bond… then it could reveal lies too.
“I wonder what Kai is planning now,” Selene murmured, lifting her hand. The hourglass tattoo pulsed faintly beneath her skin. “Will she be able to claim Christopher… or will she be left embarrassed?”
She smiled faintly.
“I’d be happy if she could beat me.”
Her fingers brushed the glowing mark.
“And I wonder,” she whispered, “what secrets you’re hiding too.”
Selene turned onto her side, staring into the dark.
Her lips curved into a small, knowing smile as sleep claimed her once more.
The moon watched in silence.