Under the Blood Moon, Alpha Silas rejects his wolfless mate in front of the pack. She accepts and walks out. Then her wolf wakes up, and every wolf kneels.
Narrator Under the Blood Moon, every unmated wolf of Ashmoor steps into the ring of torches, and the moon shows them who they belong to. Narrator Wren Hollis stood at the edge. Twenty, and the only wolf in the pack who had never shifted. They called her the kitchen girl. Narrator Then the wind changed. Cedar and smoke. Something tied itself to her heart and pulled. Across the ring, Alpha Silas Varrow went still. Celeste Dane mocking No. Absolutely not. Silas, tell me the moon did not just pick the kitchen girl.Narrator Celeste Dane, the Beta's daughter. The pack's Luna-in-waiting. Alpha Silas Varrow The moon makes mistakes. I don't. Alpha Silas Varrow I, Silas Varrow, Alpha of Ashmoor, reject you, Wren Hollis, as my mate and as my Luna. Narrator Laughter rippled around the torches. A rejection should feel like ribs cracking. She should have begged. Wren did neither. Wren Hollis I, Wren Hollis, accept your rejection. Alpha Silas Varrow That's it? No tears? Wren Hollis You could have done this quietly. You chose an audience. So let them remember this: I didn't cry. Celeste Dane laughing Brave tonight! Before you go, sweetie, the feast plates won't scrub themselves.Narrator Wren untied her apron, folded it once, and dropped it at Celeste's feet. Wren Hollis Scrub them yourself, Luna. You'll have a lot to learn. Alpha Silas Varrow Walk out of this ring and you walk out of this pack. A wolfless girl won't last a night in the woods. Wren Hollis Then tonight is the last time you'll ever see me. Narrator She stepped past the torches. The bond snapped like a bowstring, and so did the silver chain she had worn since her parents died. Narrator Heat poured through her bones. For the first time in her life, Wren shifted, into a wolf white as frost, with burning silver eyes. Narrator Every torch bent toward her. Every wolf in the pack sank to its knees. Even the Alpha. Elder Bram gasps Silver eyes. A Moonborn. That bloodline died out a hundred years ago.Alpha Silas Varrow That's impossible! She's wolfless. She's nothing! Narrator A low laugh came from the trees. Lucan Thorne, Alpha of the northern Nightfall pack, stepped into the light, the only wolf still standing. Alpha Lucan Thorne Nothing? Varrow, you just threw away the strongest wolf born in a century. In front of witnesses. Celeste Dane nervous Silas, do something. Command her!Alpha Silas Varrow Wren. As your Alpha, I order you to come back. Narrator The command rolled out like thunder. The white wolf didn't blink. Her answer rang inside every mind in the clearing. Wren Hollis You're not my Alpha. You rejected me, remember? In front of everyone. Alpha Lucan Thorne Come north with me, Wren. Not as anyone's mate. As yourself. Nightfall has waited a long time for you. Wren Hollis You've never even met me. Alpha Lucan Thorne I have. Twelve years ago, a little girl pulled a black wolf pup from a hunter's trap and tied up his leg with her hair ribbon. I never forgot. Narrator Silas pressed a hand to his chest, where the bond he'd thrown away was burning. For the first time, the Alpha sounded afraid. Alpha Silas Varrow pleading Wren, wait. I was wrong. I take it back!Wren Hollis cold An accepted rejection can't be taken back, Alpha. You taught me that tonight.Narrator She walked into the dark at Lucan's side. At the treeline, Lucan looked back one last time. Alpha Lucan Thorne Oh, and Varrow? Her parents didn't die in a hunting accident. Ask your father who locked that silver chain around her neck.
Narrator
Wren Hollis
Alpha Silas Varrow
Celeste Dane
Alpha Lucan Thorne
Elder Bram
