Chapter 110 Chapter 110

Chapter 110 Chapter 110
Logan

The clearing was so silent I would hear a pin if it dropped.

Braem beckoned on Elias with his fingers. Encouraged by the small nod from Sienna, Elias walked to join him. I moved to stand beside her, taking her hand in mine and rubbing my soothing circles over the back of her palm.

The matebond thrummed with apprehension between us. Sienna was as still as a statue by my side, so still I was slightly worried she wasn't breathing. Every instinct in me demanded I stand between my family and everything that hinted at danger.

Or more specifically, the elders.

But this wasn't something I could fight. At least not with claws or with my position as the leader of the pack. I mentally chided myself to be calm, watching the elders closely.

I stepped forward beside Sienna and entwined our fingers. I could feel both our wolves pacing, ready to step in and protect our cub at any time. Vaughn said something to Emias but it was so low I couldn't catch it.

I instinctively leaned forward but Sienna tightened her grip to keep me in place. Cecelia addressed the pack. “The boy is going to demonstrate his control.”

A pile of logs were placed before him. I angled my head at Sienna to receive her affirmation that it was something he could handle. Elias lifted his hands to the air, much like the day I'd seen him ato ok the falling cup.

The clearing was eerily silent as the logs rattled and slowly began floating into the air. Small gasps echoed around the field; lycans who hadn't seen a demonstration of his powers until now.

Elias faltered, sending the logs crashing down to the ground. My heart dropped into my chest and I could have sworn my pulse was in my throat. Sienna mouthed something to him.

Almost immediately, he inhaled a deep breath and stretched his arms out once more. The grip he had on his powers were obviously firmer this time, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Most of my pack members did too, but I didn't have the time to think about what it meant.

The logs rose to the air one by one untuk they were all floating at least six feet from the ground. A clapping ovation echoed when he wiggled his fingers and caused the logs to dance around in a circle.

His eyes were brought with excitement when they came to mine and I have him a subtle nod. He was doing very well.

“It's time for the second test.” Bream cut in.

Sienna shuffled even closer to me as he was asked to shift. My eyebrows drew together. He was just six, it was impossible for him to shift at that age. He had twelve years before he would be able to do that. 

I took one step forward. “He’s still very young,” I argued.

Vaughn’s gaze crashed into mine. “Rarebloods can access their wolves from a very young age unless they're facing some kind of mental or physical trauma.” He shifted his sharp gaze to Sienna. “I believe the cub has been well taken care of this whole time?”

She gave them a nod.

Bream clapped. “Well then,” he breathed, letting his attention circle around the clearing. “I think we should get on to it.”

I braced myself, silently sending a prayer to the moon goddess. If there was ever a time she was needed, it was in this moment.

Elias looked at Sienna, and again she mouthed something to him. Cecelia called Vaughn’s attention and they both shot her a stern glance. “I don't know if I can take this,” she whispered to me, her hand flying to her throat.

Did she also feel the suffocating weight threatening to pull me to the ground?

There was another slow inhale, and then Elias drifted his eyelids shut. Sienna skilled her hand from mine and clasped it in front of her, her eyes wide. I didn't know who to comfort; my mate or my heir.

The Elders narrowed their gaze in on him like they were watching an alien. There was a full body shudder as he attempted to shift. I rubbed the heel of my palm against my chest, trying to soothe the burning feeling in my chest. His breaths fell short as he struggled, folding forward and falling to the ground.

“Elias!” Sienna yelled, unable to take it anymore. She took a step forward but Nessa and Livia were quickly there to hold her back. My eyebrows furrowed as I watched his chest expand; the first signs of a shift. 

His back arched so hard, several Lycans flinched. No one had ever seen a cub so young being forced to shift. Fur pushed through his skin, his right arm grew and twisted in a way that made my skin turn.

“Stop!” Sienna screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks like she could physically feel his pain.

Someone told Elias he could do it. I was surprised to register it was my own voice. “You can do it, cub!” I repeated firmly. Slowly, the pack joined me, encouraging him with soft chants. My nails dug into my palms beside me as he completed the last phase of the shift.

His jaws stretched, his limbs grew, and in the next second his shift was complete. A stunned breath left me as I stared at his wolf for the first time. It was big, bigger than it should be at this age, with black fur and silver streaks.

It took everyone a few heartbeats to get over their surprise, and then the ovation followed. Elias stood tall, his tail in the air as he gazed down at us all. My shoulder raised and a warm feeling settled in my chest as I stared at him. I shifted my own gaze to the pack members, letting them know without words that this was their soon to be leader.

The corners of Cecelia's lips curved in a small smile. Even Braem and Vaugh looked impressed.

“It's time for the last test.”