Chapter 16 The Book
Reversed 15
Time flew by faster than anyone expected, and soon the day of the Bloodbound Rite arrived. From early morning, the entire pack was busy, the air thick with tension and anticipation. The main grounds buzzed with movement as preparations were finalized and everyone took their place.
Students gathered in small groups, their voices low but excited. Some whispered among themselves, exchanging rumors and guesses about who might challenge whom. Others spoke with confidence, already planning who they intended to face once the rite began. A few laughed nervously, trying to hide their unease, while others stood quietly to the side, lost in their own thoughts.
For some, the Bloodbound Rite was an opportunity—to prove strength, to rise in rank, or to settle old scores. For others, it was something to fear, a reminder that grudges did not fade easily and that tonight, no one could step in to stop what was bound by blood and tradition.
The atmosphere felt different from any other day. Even those who tried to act normal couldn’t fully hide the tension in their movements or the way their eyes kept scanning the crowd. Everyone knew that once the rite began, nothing would be the same.
Meanwhile, Kai could barely contain her excitement. She knew it would raise questions. Why would she choose to challenge her own sister of all people but she didn’t care. The whispers, the stares, the judgment that would surely follow meant nothing to her now. All that mattered was what was about to happen.
Her heart raced, not from fear, but from anticipation. This was the moment she had been waiting for, the moment she had played over and over in her mind. Challenging her sister wasn’t something most would dare to do, but Kai had never been like most. To her, blood did not mean loyalty, and family did not guarantee mercy.
She straightened her posture and lifted her chin, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Let them question her. Let them doubt her. Once the Bloodbound Rite began, their opinions would no longer matter. Only strength would speak and Kai was ready to make sure her voice was heard. More than that, she was certain the Alpha would be in her hands in no time.
Her gaze shifted across the room and landed on Selene, standing quietly in the corner. Selene seemed unaware of the tension building around her, fully absorbed in a book with no title and a plain white cover. She held it carefully, as if the pages contained something precious, something meant only for her.
Kai watched her for a long moment, her smile slowly sharpening. Selene looked calm, almost detached from the chaos surrounding them, and that only fueled Kai’s excitement. She truly believed Selene had no idea what was coming. In Kai’s mind, once the rite was over, everything would change. That was what Kai thought.
What she didn’t know was that Selene was fully aware that Kai would challenge her. Even though, in her previous life, Kai had never done such a thing, Selene felt certain this time would be different. She didn’t know what had changed or what had pushed Kai to make this decision, but she knew one thing—Kai had a plan, and Selene was meant to be its victim.
Selene closed the book she had been reading and rose from her seat, her movements unhurried. She walked toward Kai, who stood near the center of the room, surrounded by murmurs and restless energy from the other students preparing for the Bloodbound Rite.
“I’ll go to the library, sis,” Selene said lightly. “Are you staying here?”
Kai turned to her, a smile already playing on her lips. “Yes, sis. I need to prepare for something. You know what day it is today, right?”
“Hm, I think I do,” Selene replied, tilting her head teasingly. “You’re challenging someone today, aren’t you? Come on, tell me, who is it?”
Kai laughed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Why are you so curious?”
“Well,” Selene shrugged, feigning innocence, “it’s not every day that the Bloodbound Rite happens. And it’s not every day someone looks this excited about it.”
Kai’s eyes flickered, just for a moment, with something sharp. “I’ll tell you after,” she said. “It wouldn’t be fun if I spoiled the surprise, would it?”
Selene studied her sister’s face, searching for cracks, for hints. But Kai had always been good at hiding her intentions, wrapping them in charm and smiles.
“Alright,” Selene said at last, her tone warm. “I won’t pry. Just… don’t do anything reckless.”
Kai grinned wider. “You worry too much, sis.”
“Someone has to,” Selene replied softly.
They shared a brief moment of silence before Selene stepped back. “I’ll see you later, then.”
“Good luck finding whatever secret book you’re hunting,” Kai called after her.
Selene smiled faintly and turned away, heading toward the tall doors that led to the library. As she walked, the noise of the hall faded behind her, replaced by a quiet resolve. Kai wasn’t telling her the truth but that was fine. Selene had already prepared herself for what was to come.
The library greeted her with silence and the scent of aged parchment and polished wood. Towering shelves stretched toward the high ceiling, packed with volumes that carried centuries of knowledge, spells, and forgotten histories. Sunlight filtered through stained-glass windows, casting soft patterns across the stone floor.
Selene moved slowly between the aisles, her fingers trailing along the spines of books. She knew what she was looking for, yet she couldn’t name it. Ever since the night with the black wolf and her aunt’s strange words, something had been calling to her—pulling her deeper toward truths long buried.
Minutes passed. Then more. She checked shelves she had already searched, scanned titles written in languages few could read. Still, nothing.
“Of course,” she murmured to herself. “It’s never easy.”
She exhaled and turned down a narrower aisle near the back of the library, one rarely used. The air here felt different. It is cooler, heavier, as if the shadows themselves were alive. It was not like this before, not as she remembered or maybe Ryzen made the atmosphere a lot better?
Ryzen, again. She pushed the thought of the man at the back of her head and continued walking. At the very end stood an old painting, its colors faded with age. It depicted a moonlit forest, wolves gathered beneath a glowing sky.
As Selene stepped closer, her heart skipped.
A faint pulsing light flickered at the edge of the painting—soft, silver-blue, like a heartbeat made of moonlight. She froze, her breath catching. Slowly, she reached out.
The light intensified and the hourglass mark on her wrist was getting warmer.
With a soft hum, the painting shimmered, and something emerged from behind it. A book, floating gently before settling into her hands. Selene gasped quietly.
The book was old, and very ancient. Its cover was made of dark, weathered leather etched with intricate silver carvings. At its center was a wolf, head lifted toward the sky, eyes filled with reverence. Above it stood a goddess-like figure, her arms wrapped around the moon as if cradling it. Within the moon itself glowed an hourglass, its sands shifting slowly, pulsing with a faint, otherworldly light.
The design felt alive beneath Selene’s fingers, warm and humming, as if recognizing her touch.
“This is it,” she whispered.
Cradling the book carefully, Selene carried it to one of the largest windows overlooking the training grounds. An empty table waited there, bathed in natural light. She sat down, placed the book before her.
She opened the book carefully.
The pages smelled of dust and time, edges yellowed and soft. The ink, though faded, was still sharp enough to read. At the top of the first page, written in careful, deliberate script, were the words, “Chapter One: The Mark that Watches.” She read whispers.