Truth is, I’m slowly starting to lose faith in the legitimacy of the trials myself.
Nine seasons I’ve stood in this very temple. Nine years of faces. Names. Scents. Nine years of almosts. I’m starting to think the gods don’t care.
Maybe I should stop waiting for their blessing; grab a mate and sire offspring to preserve my line. Have I been a fool to believe the trials were sacred?
It is time I stop fooling myself. For if I don’t find a fated mate, I’ll make a choice and take a mate to sire a legacy.
This tenth season will be my last.
Chapter 8
EMBER
The moonlight spills down on me like a second skin. Its glow clings to my bare arms as I pass the threshold of the castle’s doorway. After tonight’s events, I was antsy and starving. I hadn’t even made it to the main course, so I slipped down to the secret stairs for an early morning hunt while Roman was still asleep. A romp in my wolf form was just what I needed to clear my head, at least for a little while. But, back under the Ancient Castle’s vaulted roof, those feelings of dread and turmoil roll in like a cloud of rain.
In the foyer, my hand stills on the curve of railing before the first set of steps. If I shift and run the steps in wolf form when there’s no one here to witness it, would it count as disobeying the rules? I already disobeyed one rule, what’s one more? Would they kick me out? That would save me from participating in these antiquated trials.
“You shouldn’t be here,” a deep voice scolds.
My hand flies to my chest as a dark figure steps from the shadows beside the doorway. He steps into a ray of moonlight.Long white hair is loose at his shoulders, three scars dissect his sharp cheekbones and cold eyes. Thorn.
“That is super creepy. Are you following me?”
“No,” he coughs, breaking his pretentious Alpha demeanor. “I’m waiting for someone.” He gestures vaguely toward the door behind us.
“Sure, you were,” I deadpan.
He steps closer. His size blocks the moonlight, shadowing his face.
“It’s not safe for you.” He lowers his voice. “Now that your… secret is out.”
“Well, there’s no blood to be spilled in the temple, right?” I shoot back, “That should save me.”
“I wouldn’t count on that.”
“Is that a threat?”
“No.” He steps forward again, his muscles flexing in the moonlight, all big and broody. Typical Alpha. “It’s a warning. Now, go back to your room.”
Now we’re eye to eye as I’m on the second step, his presence is magnetic and infuriating. His blue eyes scan me up and down.
I meet his eyes and hold them.
Never show weakness around a male.
“You’re not afraid of me?” he asks, voice low.
“Afraid of you? Because you’re big and bad, and your cock expands when you come. No, I don’t think so.” There’s a rumor that Alphas have a specialability. The base of their cock expands after release to seal them and their mate together. Obviously, I’ve never seen it, but I’ve heard Honi’s appreciative moan echoing in the cave late at night.
His brow opposite the scar lifts. “That’s no way to speak to an Alpha.”
“You’re notmyAlpha,” I scoff.
He huffs a breath, amused maybe. “You’re a firecracker.”
My smirk breaks into a grin, “Well, my name is Ember, and where there’s embers, there’s…”
“Fire,” he finishes.