47. Shya

Chapter forty-seven

Shya

T he ceremony began as twilight descended, the new moon rising in the sky like a silver sickle. Its ethereal light bathed the grove, casting long shadows that danced among the ancient trees. The air thrummed with anticipation as I stood at the edge of the grove, my heart pounding. The sky-blue ceremonial dress felt too tight, too restrictive. I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself for what was to come. This was it. If Mom was right, the fated mate bond with Edmond would snap into place soon.

I reached inside me for my wolf, but she just stretched and went back to sleep.

Okay. Not exactly the reaction I was hoping for.

Bridgetown—humans and Shifters—had arranged themselves in six concentric circles, each leaving a small gap for me to pass through. The chanting that had begun half an hour ago swelled around me, a living, breathing thing.

I stepped through the gap in the outermost circle, the voices of those furthest from the center a low, steady hum. As I walked along the perimeter of the fifth circle, searching for the next gap, the chanting grew slightly louder. Eyes followed my every move.

With each circle I entered, the voices grew stronger, the melody more intricate. By the time I reached the third circle, the sound vibrated through my bones, seeming to pulse with my very heartbeat. I caught glimpses of familiar faces as I walked. There was Marnie, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Summer, beaming with what looked like pride. Danni watched me with a solemn expression. As I reached the final circle, my eyes found Henry. His face was a mask of concern, his eyes far too knowing. He was turning into a man, no longer the sheltered, sweet teenager I'd known.

The chanting reached a fever pitch, a crescendo of sound that filled the grove and seemed to touch the very stars above. As I stepped into the center where Edmond waited, the harmony peaked in a note so pure it brought tears to my eyes, and then everyone fell silent. The sudden quiet was deafening after the overwhelming sound, and in it, I could hear my own heartbeat, loud in my ears, as I turned to face my future. Edmond's face set in a neutral expression, and he turned to me. Garrett, standing behind Edmond, winked.

Brilliant. As if I didn't need the reminder that I was tying myself not just to Edmond but to his brother.

I walked forward, coming to a stop next to Edmond.

"We now call upon the representatives of each family to present their ancestral totems," Mom's voice rang out.

Garrett stepped forward, holding a beautifully carved wooden wolf. Its eyes seemed to gleam in the moonlight as he placed it on the altar before us. "I present the totem of the D'estry," he said, his voice ringing out clear and strong. "May it symbolize the strength and unity we bring to this union."

Henry approached next, his young face solemn as he carried our family's totem. It was an intricate carving of an oak tree, its branches spreading wide. "I present the totem of the Little family," he said, his voice only wavering slightly. "May it represent the deep roots and enduring legacy we offer."

As the two totems sat side by side on the altar, I felt a pang in my chest. This was really happening. Two Packs, two families, joining together through Edmond and me.

I tried to focus on the ceremony, on Edmond standing beside me, but Mason's face kept popping in my head. His intense blue eyes that seemed to see right through me, the way his hair felt when I ran my fingers through it, the intricate tattoos that snaked up his right arm. I could almost feel the warmth of his muscular body, the strength as his arms pulled me close. And the way he talked to me. I was a Pack princess, but he didn't give a shit about that. No, he was crass and explicit and honest, and it drew me in like a magnet.

I shook my head, trying to clear it. I couldn't think about him now. I had made my choice.

Inside, my wolf sat up, her ears pricked.

Mom's voice took on a rhythmic cadence. "We call upon the four elements to bless this union," she intoned. "Earth, to ground them in stability and abundance."

She sprinkled soil around our feet, and I felt a tremor run through me. But it wasn't the comforting connection to my Pack bonds I usually felt—it was something else, something unsettling.

"Air, to bring them clarity of thought and freedom of spirit."

As she waved incense around us, the scent making me dizzy, I found my gaze drifting to the edge of the circle. For a moment, I thought I saw Mason standing there, his eyes locked on mine. I blinked, and he was gone.

"Fire, to ignite their passion and light their way."

The flames of the ceremonial candles flickered, casting dancing shadows across Edmond's face. But instead of warmth, I felt a chill run through me.

"Water, to flow through their lives with adaptability and emotion."

As Mom sprinkled blessed water over our joined hands, I felt a rush of emotion—but not the one I was expecting to feel. Instead of a bond with Edmond, all I could feel was an overwhelming sense of wrongness. My wolf chuffed at me.

Silly pup, not listening to heart.

I thought you were asleep?

Want to be awake for what is coming.

I could feel her smugness, as if she knew something I didn't. And suddenly, with crystal clarity, I knew the connection I felt with Mason wasn't just love or a passing attraction. It was deeper, primal. He really was my fated mate. The realization hit me like a physical blow, leaving me breathless as my wolf howled with joy.

I stared at Edmond, panic rising in my chest. How could I have been so blind? How could I go through with this when my very soul was calling out for someone else?

I had spent my whole life trying to be the perfect daughter, the ideal future leader, always doing what my parents and the Pack expected of me. But in this moment, I understood that true leadership wasn't about following a predetermined path. It was about having the courage to forge your own way.

My wolf's words echoed in my mind: Silly pup, not listening to heart. She was right. I had been foolish, ignoring what my heart—and my very soul—had been trying to tell me all along. A leader doesn't just do what others want; they do what's right, even when it's hard. They trust themselves, and they're strong enough to know that sometimes they need to lean on others. I'd let Tristan take that from me. He'd managed to tie me in so many knots that I didn't trust myself or my feelings. I had relied on others to guide me, even when I knew their path was wrong. I had pushed Mason away in the mistaken belief that isolating myself from the people who supported me when I needed it was the strong thing to do.

No more. It was time for me to take back control of my life. To take back control of me.

With that thought, a sense of calm settled over me. I knew what I had to do.

"Stop," I said, my voice ringing out clear and strong, cutting through the ceremonial chants. "I can't do this."

A collective gasp went through the assembled Pack members. My mother froze, the blessed water dripping from her fingertips. Edmond stared at me, his eyes wide with shock.

"I'm sorry," I continued, my voice growing stronger with each word. "But I can't go through with this mating."

"Shya!" Mom's voice was sharp, but I ignored her. I kicked off the delicate ceremonial shoes. They clattered on the stone altar, knocking over a candle. Then I turned and ran.

I sprinted through the gaps in the circles, Pack members too stunned to try to stop me. The forest welcomed me, branches seeming to part as I raced through them. Behind me, I could hear shouts of confusion and alarm, but I didn't look back.

I burst through the treeline onto the lawn in front of the Alpha House and skidded to a halt. There, idling on the road, was a red Aston Martin Vantage. And leaning against it, a grin on his face, was Tucker.

"Took you long enough," he said, throwing a set of keys up then catching them. "I knew you wouldn't wanna go through with it, so I got you a car. I stole it from Garrett." He gave me a wolfish grin. "Do you think he'll mind?"

He threw the keys up again and I caught them. "Tucker, you're my little ninja! How did you know?"

He shrugged, his eyes sparkling with barely contained excitement. "You're my big sister. No way were you gonna mate with that butthead. Now go before they catch up!"

I didn't need to be told twice. I jumped into the driver's seat, the ceremonial dress billowing around me as I slammed the door shut. The engine roared, and I spun the wheel, kicking up a cloud of dust as I accelerated down the road.

As the lights of the Alpha House faded in my rear-view mirror, I felt a blend of exhilaration and fear. I had no idea what would happen next, but I knew one thing for certain: for the first time in a long time, I felt truly alive.