Page 248 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

“I’m not putting anything at risk! I just told you that Violet made sure it was safe. She would never suggest something that would endanger me or our baby. You know that better than anyone else.” She huffed, setting her spoon down with a clatter against the bowl. “I don’t think I can put into words how deeply important this is to me, that it’s something Ihave to do.”

I heaved out a long sigh. “I know it’s something you need to do, but what if you see something that will affect you mentally? Or emotionally? There’s no way to control what you’ll see.”

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, the hard look had softened. “Night, I know you’re just looking out for me and the baby, but I’ve already considered the risks. I know I might see something upsetting, but you forget that I’ve already been through hell. Growing up was torture, and then I dealt with a week of horrors after Troy kidnapped me.” She uncrossed her arms and took one of my hands between hers. “I know I can do this, Night. Please trust me.”

I stared deeply into her eyes, finding her resolve and her desperation. She was so close to finding answers to questions she’d had all her life, and she couldn’t wait anymore. If we were supposed to have an equal and honest relationship, I needed to trust that she knew what she was doing.

“Okay,” I agreed, even though I wished I didn’t have to. “But I’m going to be there with you, and if I see any sign that you might be in danger, I’m putting an end to it, okay?”

She nodded. “Absolutely. Iwantyou there, Night. I wouldn’t do something like this if you couldn’t be there with me.” Now that we’d both calmed down, she smiled without any anger or hesitation. “I wish I’d had more time to tell you, but I didn’t make this decision without thinking it through. Ihaveto know more about who I am.”

“I know.” I sighed. “Okay, I’m with you on this all the way.”

“Thank you, baby.” She brushed her lips over mine. “Thank you so much.”

We had a few hours to kill before the full moon was in position, so I finished my dinner and went out to train. After I returned and freshened up, it was time to go.

The moon cast a silvery glow over everything as we headed to Mom’s cabin. Though this night wasn’t technically different from any other, something about tonight gave it some weight. It felt like something important would happen tonight.

Bryn must have felt the same way because she squeezed my hand as we neared the elders’ cabin. I squeezed her back.

We walked up the steps to the cabin’s front door, but Violet called for us to head around back. We rounded the cabin and found dozens of white candles lit around the small backyard. I wasn’t surprised to see the three King elders standing with my mom, but I didn’t expect to see Warg Elder Patrice Woods there as well. Bryn and I exchanged greetings with everyone, and I turned to Elder Woods.

“I’m surprised to see you here,” I said.

She smiled kindly at me, her white hair glowing in the moonlight. “I’m sorry, Night. I didn’t tell Violet I was coming, either. Considering the importance of this ritual, we decided one of us ought to be here, but I didn’t get a chance to let you all know.”

I would've liked more of a heads-up so I wouldn’t be caught unawares, but her reasoning made sense. From what I understood, much of this had come together at the last minute. “It’s just you?”

“Yes. The others and I decided I should be the one to make the trip. I arrived about fifteen minutes ago.”

“I’m sorry to cut in,” Elder Sage said, rubbing his thick silver beard, “but we only have so much moonlight. We should start before it gets any later.” He inclined his head toward the center of the white candles, where a perfect circle had been drawn in white chalk. Other symbols drawn in chalk surrounded the circle. My wolf whined his unease at the sight of it.

“Elder Sage is right,” Mom said. “Bryn, step into the circle when you’re ready.”

“Right.” Bryn started walking toward it, but I pulled her back.

“Just a minute,” I said. Elder Sage seemed displeased but didn’t say anything as I pulled Bryn aside.

“Are you nervous?” she asked.

“Aren’t you?” I pushed her hair behind her ear and bent so I could talk to her at eye level. “Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?”

She kissed the corner of my mouth, then looked up at me with love blazing in her eyes. “I haven’t been this sure about something since the first time we made love,” she whispered.

The kiss, followed by the memory of that first night, seared through me. Yet, it still seemed so unsafe. “Everything in me is screaming at me not to let you go in that circle,” I told her.

“I know you want to protect us,” she said, her hand on her belly. “But Night, you can’t protect me from this. This will answer so many of my questions about who I am. I need to do this.”

I let out a long breath. I wished with everything in me that I could do this ritual with Bryn, but I knew I couldn’t. This was something only she could do, and I hated that she was going somewhere I couldn’t follow.

I pulled her in for a tight hug and another kiss before slowly letting her go. “Alright, let’s do this.”

Bryn smiled at me one more time before turning from me and heading toward the circle, her fingers slipping free of mine. She stepped into the circle, and all the candles flickered at once. I stood behind Elder Forsythe, my hands buried deep in my pockets.

“So, how does this work?” Bryn asked.

“First, you must sit down,” Elder Queene replied, pulling his long hair into a ponytail. “Then, we will perform a chant to activate the ritual.”