<b>Chapter </b><b>12 </b>


    <b>Elowen </b><b>POV </b>


    :


    <b>??</b>))


    64


    Taya’s room looked like a glitter bomb exploded during prom week. We had deviduto get ready at her house


    tonight for the ceremony.


    2


    Hair curlers hissed on the counter, dresses were slung across every chair, and highlighter sparkled in the air like war paint. She twirled in front of her mirror, her deep green dress hugging every perfect curve, her long red hair in waves that would make a goddess jealous.


    “You sure I don’t look like a broli themed stripper?” she asked, cocking an eyebrow.


    I snorted. “You look like the entire forest would worship you, shut up.”


    She tossed a makeup sponge at me. “Alright, Moon Barbie, your turn.”


    I turned toward the mirror. My silver dress shimmered like starshine, hugging my waist and falling into a thigh high slit that was one strong breeze from a scandal. The neckline was lower than I’d usually go, Lyssira’s idea, obviously, and the color almost exactly matched the weird new shimmer in my hair. Like it was meant for this version of me. The post prophecy, glowing eyes, destined to fix the creature world


    version.


    “I feel like I’m wearing my trauma,” I muttered, adjusting the straps.


    “Good,” Taya said, standing behind me with her hands on her hips. “Make it hot trauma. Make them regret every shitty word they ever said.”


    We grinned at each other in the mirror. And for a second, I forgot all the doom.


    The pack ceremony was held in <b>the </b>moonlit clearing near the gathering lodge..long tables of food, flickeringnterns strung between ancient pines, and wolves everywhere dressed to the nines.


    The scent of roasted meats, wild herbs, and mooncakes filled the air.


    Taya and I walked in together, both of us tall, radiant, and 100% over the petty stares,


    Va, Soria, and their clone squad were already there, draped in crimson and gold, whispering like little gremlins.


    “Slut shimmer<b>, </b>ten o’clock,” Va stage whispered as I passed.


    <b>I </b>smiled sweetly and flipped her off without breaking stride.


    O


    <b>11:56 </b>Mon<b>, </b>Sep <b>22 </b>


    A


    64


    The Alpha King caught the exchange and shot them a re sharp enough to slice bone. They shut the hell up faster than I thought possible.


    We took our seats as the pack quieted.


    Alpha Draven stood, towering in his regal ck suit, his voice calm but powerful as it echoed through the clearing.


    “Tonight we honor theing of age for Elowen Skye Thorne, daughter of our previous Beta, Alpha Can, who served this pack loyally and faithfully until the Hollow Creed killed him seven years ago, and every other wolf blessed under this moon. You now step into your full strength. Into your path. Into your power.”


    A murmur of approval passed through the crowd, and Luna Queen Aelira smiled warmly from beside him.


    I tried to smile back, but… he wasn’t here.


    I scanned the crowd again. No sign of Daxon.


    Not his stupid smirk. Not his too broad shoulders. Not his hurricane scent that had haunted me all damn


    day.


    Just… empty space where he should be.


    And gods help me…I felt disappointed.


    Taya noticed. “He’s not here?”


    “Nope.”


    ‘Good. Less drama.”


    “Yeah,‘ I said, but my heart squeezed anyway.


    Why did it hurt more than it should?


    Why did it feel like rejection… when I never even asked to be chosen?


    <b>Daxon </b><b>POV </b>


    <b>I </b>stared at the half empty bottle of fireroot whiskey like it held the goddamn answers.


    It didn’t.


    <b>11:56 </b>Mon, Sep <b>22 </b>


    <b>64 </b>


    All it gave me was a slow burn down my throat and a buzzing in my head that did nothing to shut Talon up.


    “She’s ours. She’s ours. Go to her. im her. Mine!”


    “Shut the fuck up.”


    Talon snarled, but I mmed a mental wall between us hard enough to make my temples throb. Across the room, Jace and Rylen were lounging on the worn leather couch, throwing popcorn at each other and arguing over whether Elowen could beat Rylen in a fight.


    Spoiler: She absolutely could. And had.


    Twice.


    “She’s your mate, man,” Jace finally said, leaning forward. “What the hell are you even doing here?”


    “Drinking,” I muttered.


    Rylen snorted. “Yeah, like that’s gonna stop the mate bond. Talon’s going rabid.”


    “He’s not wrong. Go to her. Smell her skin. Bite her throat.” Talon growled.


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    11:56 Mon, Sep <b>22 </b>