Two days without food or water, freshly poisoned and wounded. I passed out and came to and passed out again along the way.
I have no memory of how I obtained the blessing charm. All I know is that the moment I saw Seraphina waiting at the bottom, my legs gave out and I collapsed.
She caught me and gathered me into her arms. Her scent hit me then, night-blooming jasmine over cold steel, and for the first time it made me sick.
"Fenris, you've suffered so much. I promise, even after I mate with Caspian, you'll be the only one in my heart."
I closed my eyes slowly. Three days ago, I might have believed those words. Now they made my stomach turn.
"You have your blessing charm. Let me go."
But she ignored my plea and had me carried back to the den.
"Fenris, don't be stubborn. Tomorrow is my mating ceremony. Caspian has agreed to let you keep living in the den afterward. You'll stay out of each other's way. All right?"
Before she left, she added one last instruction: "The Alpha Heir may attend the ceremony tomorrow. Stay in the den and don't cause trouble."
Shortly after she was gone, my father's shadow sentinels found me.
I looked in the direction she had disappeared, then at this countryside den that had never truly been mine, and a quiet smile crossed my lips.
Tomorrow, I hope you have no regrets.
On the morning of the mating ceremony, the Stormfang estate was draped in moonsilk banners, every corner bursting with celebration. Seraphina stood shoulder to shoulder with Caspian in her ceremonial gown, radiant in white and silver.
The ceremony was about to begin when a voice rang out from beyond the gates: "The Alpha Heir of the Ashvale Bloodline has arrived!"
