The ceremony began, and Nova and Fin were last to enter. They walked side by side into the ceremonial hall, and immediately, the room shifted.
All eyes turned toward them. Every person stood.
And everyone felt it.
A ripple of energy moved through the crowd—like goosebumps crawling over skin. Like instinct itself whispered that something sacred was unfolding. It felt like history was being written right before their eyes.
Nova wore her white cloak draped over her gold dress and it trailed the stone floor behind her. With every step, glimpses of what lay beneath peeked through the front—her perfect form glowing in gold, diamonds catching the only light in the room: the soft, flickering glow of the ceremonial basin at the front.
Fin held her hand firmly, proudly. Every few steps, she caught him staring again—completely unashamed—and it made her cheeks flush and her mouth curve into a grin.
Fin's voice slid into her mind like a caress.
Fin: You're so goddamn pretty I can't stop looking.
She blushed and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
Her eyes swept the room, quietly counting. All twelve elders were in attendance. The colonel, along with all the majors, captains, and lieutenants. Elias stood near the side, hands clasped. All the professors were present—including Shard, who for once didn't look like he had something to complain about. Ash. Rael. Milo. And nearly every pack leader, advisor, and dignitary in the region.
Around seventy people in total.
She was glad Fin hadn't told her. No time to overthink.
And... she realized, heart lifting slightly—she was coming up on two full hours without matebond withdrawal symptoms. No panic. No dizziness. No crushing waves of grief.
So far... so good. Nova stood tall beside Fin, their hands still linked, her heart steady.
The first part of the ceremony began—Marra's official initiation into the pack, followed by the Gamma ceremony.
Marra glanced at Nova, and Nova gave her a warm smile.
Nova had meant to pull Marra aside earlier—to check in, to ask how she was really doing—but the moment never came. She hoped Marra was okay.
She smiled back, but there was a flicker of sadness in her eyes. Nova saw it.
Fin stepped forward, leaving Nova standing beside Jax as Marra's pack initiation began.
It went smoothly.
From there, the Gamma initiation began. Marra took the oath, had her palm cut by the dagger with the Gamma ruin and a sapphire at the top. She put her hand on the stone. All the things Nova remembered. The stone gave a pulse, similar to what it did for Elle.
Marra reached out to put her hand into the fire basin and Nova started to hear whispers around her. The same whispers that were so kind to have chosen her the first time. She wanted them to know she was going to be okay. She closed her eyes, feeling a wave of nausea.
But then, Nova heard a cry. She opened her eyes to see Marra pull her hand out of the basin and fall backwards.
Marra looked so afraid. Frozen.
Nova glanced at Jax. He faced forward, jaw clenched tight, and was completely still.
Didn't even reach for her.
Nova's heart sank.
Why isn't he moving?
Shocked, she stepped forward without thinking, her cloak whispering behind her. She crouched beside Marra and gently took her friend's hand, helping her up. Silver light pulsed from her fingers without hesitation, healing the raw skin where the fire had touched her.
No one moved.
Not the elders.
Not the officers or captains.
Not even Fin.
The hall was silent.
Why didn't Jax move?
Nova leaned in, voice low,. "Try again," she whispered, squeezing her hand. "I'll stay right here."
Marra looked at her, terrified—eyes glossy with tears—but Nova didn't waver. She gave her an encouraging smile.
"I promise. I won't move."
Marra's lip trembled, but she nodded. She placed her hand into the basin.
Nova focused, steadying her breath as the whispers returned—soft at first, then rising, like a thousand voices tangled in fog. Her body flushed with heat, the temperature rising from within.
Not the true mate.
Not the purest form of love.
They are fated. The bond is not as powerful as the first.
The first bond is the strongest in over a thousand years.
It is against nature to pass the aura from a stronger to weaker bond.
Nova's eyes glowed silver. She shut them, holding herself still. She answered them, hoping they could hear.
Please. She is good. They are fated mates and I am not with Jax. There is a reason why they are fated. Let them both be happy. They both have gone through enough.
The whispers heard her. But they continued speaking to each other like she wasn't there at all.
She should be his fated mate.
Her soul is weak—severed from breaking the bond.
It is harming her. And the child.
Nova answered again, not registering the last part.
I will be okay. I am grateful you chose me. I want to do the right thing. Please… let me. Marra will be good for this pack. And for him. I am not his fated mate. She can give him what I can't. She is his destiny.
Nova felt a wave of sadness wash over at that thought, deep and aching, but she held firm. They answered:
You are his destiny.
You loved in another life once before.
You loved one another so deeply it stayed in your soul.
A love that travels through lifetimes is the purest bond.
It is the most rare and most powerful.
It is sacred.
Your souls are meant to come together as one.
Nova stayed calm. Her thoughts were steady, pleading.
My fate is tied to another. I can't give him what she can. He deserves to have someone at his side and be happy.
Sweat beaded at her temples. Her body was trembling. Another wave of nausea surged.
Your soul is breaking from severing a bond so deep.
You were not meant for that.
You were born to be by his side.
She will not serve our pack as you would.
She will not give him the heir you were destined to.
Nova tried again, not giving up.
I'll help her if she ever needs it—but she won't. She is brilliant and will make you proud. Their bond was blessed by fate and there is a reason.
The voices quieted.
Then, finally:
We will accept her, as a favor to you.
But we cannot leave you fully without harming you.
She will take some from you, but you will remain bound to our essence.
You are the true Luna of House Thorne.
They quiet for a second and then continued:
You will feel much pain as a portion of our power leaves and is given to her. Do you understand?
Nova didn't hesitate.
Yes. I understand.
There was silence.
Then they answered.
You may step away.
Nova let go of Marra's hand and gave her a soft, encouraging smile before turning to walk back.
She returned to stand beside Jax—who hadn't moved. He remained still, eyes locked forward, not meeting hers. His jaw was ticking, his hands clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone pale.
A moment later, the basin lit up with a dim sapphire glow.
Then it hit her.
A sudden, extreme, searing sensation tore through her core—agonizing, like hot knives slicing through raw flesh deep inside her body. Her breath hitched, and a sharp whimper escaped her throat before she caught herself, forcing it back down with a shuddering breath.
She exhaled slowly.
Hopefully no one heard that.
The pain continued as a feeling of grief ripped inside her, followed by a wave of nausea. Light headed and seeing spots, she swallowed and focused on her breathing.
Across the room, Fin tensed.
He immediately felt it too. It felt like something was physically hurting her and he felt it like his own pain. Almost like it wasn't willing to let her go. Alive and resisting.
Jax felt tightness in his body and felt a knife drag through his insides. He heard Nova stifle a whimper of pain and a bead of sweat ran down his face. He knew she felt it too.
She swallowed again, fighting the urge to be sick.
Jax flinched. As more tightness coiled in his chest and stomach again with an invisible blade dragging through his insides. He heard Nova stifle another pained breath beside him. Sweat rolled down his temple.
Nova swayed slightly, arm going to her rib subtly. She could barely breathe. She forced another swallow, focusing on inhaling, exhaling, just to stay upright.
Was her body rejecting it? Was it her soul?
Fin mindlinked her immediately, feeling the waves of nausea ripple through her.
Fin: Are you okay, baby?
Nova: Yes. Don't worry.
Fin: No you're not. I feel it.
Nova: Some of what they gave… it's leaving me and going to her. It's hurting, but it will stop once they're done.
Fin's concern spiked. Nova felt him surge calmness and love through the bond—like a warm wave into her chest. It eased the sharp edge of the pain, gave her something solid to cling to. She looked at him across the space, eyes glassy but grateful.
He saw it. And he knew.
It helped.
He was getting good at doing that and he had no plans to stop.
Nova mindlinked him again.
Nova: Thank you.
She swallowed hard, forcing the nausea back down as she tried to stay composed.
What Nova didn't realize was that Jax could hear everything.
The whispers. The mindlinks.
His powers had fully manifested now, more than she knew. Like her, he could hear spirits—but unlike her, he could also hear every mindlink around him, like the Alpha of a pack would. Even private ones. Even a direct link from an Alpha to another.
He wore her mark. He felt all the waves of nausea and pain. He had been feeling her pain since the bond was severed.
Marra was kind. But she couldn't compare. This moment just reaffirmed what he already knew in his core. Even his ancestors had agreed.
And when he heard that one word—
Child.
His breath hitched and his mind flew back to her first heat. That night. The way the world stopped around them. The way her body fit perfectly into his hands. That night was magic. Sacred.
It made his heart ache. He missed her so terribly and she was right next to him.
His wolf spoke:
Talon:You can still love Marra. She is fated to us for a reason.
Jax:Can you honestly say that… after living with Marra in our quarters? After hearing those whispers? After feeling Nova's agony these last few days?
Talon:Give it time. Your love will grow.
Jax didn't respond. Because he knew the truth. Nova was perfect for him in every way. He loved her with every part of his body and soul. He ached for her.
She looked breathtaking tonight. Her dress and cloak were regal. She was wrapped in gold and white like a nymph from legend. Her scent still drove him mad.
Her kindness, her poise… she had just helped the very woman replacing her, and she did it with grace. No bitterness. No hesitation. That was Nova.
Yes, because of the matebond, he felt a pull to Marra and sparks when their skin touched. But that was it. Her scent was sweet… but Nova's still overpowered it.
The sparks he felt with Nova, the pull he had toward her—it was stronger. Deeper.
He loved her with every fiber of his body and in the deepest parts of his soul. He knew that the day he carried her from Ashbane holding her. He wanted to take her with him into his quarters but then realized that might scare her.
He should have rejected the bond the moment he met Marra. He should have fought for what he loved.
Nothing else could compare to this agony. And Jax, standing just beside her, swallowed the grief that threatened to rise in his throat.
As soon as Marra pulled her hand out of the basin, the nausea passed. Nova drew in a long, ragged breath of relief.
Nova's wolf piped in her mind:
Seraphine: Next time we think we're having a bad day, let's be thankful this didn't happen to us. Why is Jax not helping her?
Nova: I was thinking the same thing. Do you think he's okay?
Seraphine: He is going through the same pain as you. But it's very unlike him to be so cold. He does not love her yet.
Marra walked back silently mouthing thank you, barely holding back tears. Nova gave her a soft sad smile back, reading the rejection and pain written all over her face. This poor woman had just experienced the worst humiliation, and Jax didn't show any care.
A moment later, Aeron's voice rang out through the chamber.
"Alpha Designate," he called, his tone solemn and reverent, "step forward."
Nova's chest tightened, but she stepped forward with steady feet.
"Nova of House Moonveil now Luna of House Shadowclaw," Aeron said, his voice solemn and resonant, "do you accept the mantle of Queen of North Varos — to serve with strength, to rule with wisdom, and to uphold the will of the ancestors who guide us?"
"I do," she answered clearly.
"Please kneel," Aeron said.
She blinked, surprised, but lowered herself slowly.
From the side, Cael stepped forward, grinning. In his hands was a velvet pillow—and on it, a golden crown.
Nova's breath caught and she stared dumbstruck for a second.
Cael stopped before them. Fin took the crown from the pillow, his expression soft but proud. Grinning that he had successfully surprised Nova.
The crown was unmistakably the mate to his own—sleek and regal, slightly smaller, with brilliant diamonds arcing across the front.
Without a word, Fin leaned forward and placed it gently onto her head.
The instant the crown touched her, a flash of white-gold light erupted through the room, and every torch lining the stone walls roared to life.
Gasps echoed across the chamber.
Fin let go. The crown fit perfectly. Like it had been made for her.
Fin was fighting the urge to kiss her hands again. To hold her, cradle her, claim her in front of everyone. Something in his chest tightened the moment he saw her crowned.
Then, as if in sync with the sacred timing of the moment, the torches that had flared to life… flickered out.
The crown quieted to its natural gold no longer glowing.
"You may rise," Aeron said.
The room was dead silent.
"Nova of House Moonveil, now Luna of House Shadowclaw, and Queen of North Varos," Aeron intoned again, his voice filled with reverence, "do you accept the mantle of Luna to the Shadowclaw Pack, to serve this pack in strength and wisdom?"
"I do. Before my pack and the ancestors who watch, I pledge my life and loyalty to Shadowclaw," Nova answered, calm and clear.
"Please, hold out your right hand."
Fin stepped forward.
From beneath his cloak, he drew a ceremonial dagger—solid gold, a large diamond set into the pommel, the Alpha rune engraved in ancient lines down its blade.
He took her hand in both of his, his fingers trembling slightly as he brought it to his lips slowly. Staring straight into her eyes.
All seventy people in the room were silent. Awestruck by the depth of what they were witnessing, from their Alpha of all people.
The moment was deep. The type of moment that stories were written about.
The kind of love that puts a lump in your throat because it's so pure… so rare… and deep.
He gently sliced down her palm, and she felt through the matebond how he hated doing this. She didn't flinch.
Silver blood welled up, catching the faint light of the ceremonial basin.
Fin smelled it, just like the first time. And again, he felt their mate bond pulse.
Whispers broke out in hushed waves. Realization began to ripple through the audience like a slow-building storm.
She was the white wolf. The one with silver blood.
Nova didn't flinch under their stares. She remained unafraid and strong, as if she had been born for this moment.
Jax smelled her blood the moment it hit the air. That sweet scent seared into his lungs.
He held his breath and shifted his eyes away from her, to the floor in front of them. In their direction but not on her. His fists clenched at his sides.
He, like last time, felt the urge to mate with her right there in front of everyone. Mate with her. Claim her. Mark her.
His wolf completely forgot about Marra.
Mine. Mate.
Mark her.
He ignored it.
Nova stepped forward, regal and composed, and dropped to her knees. She placed her silver-blooded palm against the obsidian stone.
The moment it met the surface, it glowed pure silver. Gasps echoed around the chamber.
Behind her, Cael snickered under his breath. Nova didn't have to look to know what he was thinking.
Just wait.
Fin sliced his palm and pressed it beside hers. The stone pulsed once—violently with a vibration. A blinding white light flashed from the altar. Everyone standing staggered back.
Fin and Nova felt their palms being pulled on the stone. The same as before.
He turned to her, his eyes brimming with so much love and reverence. Nova met his gaze, and through their bond, she felt every ounce of it.
He mouthed, "I love you."
She mouthed back, "I love you too."
Her crown glinted. Her gown shimmered. Her skin radiated silver light.
She looked otherworldly.
Untouchable.
He was proud beyond words. The kind of pride that made his chest ache and his throat tight.
Then—the stone pulsed again.
It turned solid gold, glowing softly around the edges.
Breathtaking.
Jax still hadn't moved. He hadn't blinked.
He stared at the floor beneath them, lungs tight, breath trapped in his chest. He finally glanced up, unable to look away any longer.
Sweat trickled down his spine.
Then—Nova's eyes turned silver again.
She began to glow. Not like before. Brighter.
Radiant.
Fin watched as his breath caught and his chest full. She looked like a goddess. His goddess.
Her silver glow was pure and stunning. It traveled across the obsidian tablet toward him before moving around him. He felt her warmth, her love, and her soul in this.
But this time…he glowed too.
Gold.
Warmth rushed through Fin's body like fire and sun. The light bloomed from his skin, across his shoulders, over his chest and down his arms, until it met hers.
His gold wrapped around her silver like a shield—like a vow—until they both burned together in one light.
He inhaled her scent… a sweet, dizzying wave.
Instantly he regretted it.
A raw, intense need—sudden and scorching—hit him in his chest. An urge to mate with Nova right then and there. It took every ounce of control he possessed to hold back. His ancestors, it seemed, truly had a twisted sense of humor.
Nova felt Fin's tension like a live wire humming in the air. She couldn't quite name it—but she felt it.
Out of habit, he breathed in her scent to calm himself, and again, instantly regretted it.
And then: A wave of heat washed over her body from nowhere.
Shit.
"The flame knows truth. Should your heart bear deceit, should your soul have stained the bond of your mate, should you dishonor them, or should the ancestors deem you unworthy of dominion, it will burn you. Do you stand ready to be judged?"
"I stand before the flame without deceit. Let it judge me as it will." Nova responded, voice calm.
"Alpha, it is within your right to deny or allow such motion. Do you have any objections for her to step into her role?" Aeron said.
"I hold no objections." Fin said, trying to keep his voice steady. Then she felt another wave of heat come over her.
"Do you offer your oath to Shadowclaw," he intoned, his voice low as thunder, "to serve with strength of heart, clarity of mind, and loyalty unbroken as Luna Alpha of Shadowclaw? Do you accept the mantle placed upon you?""
"I do. Before my Alpha, before my pack, and before the ancestors who watch, I pledge my life and loyalty to Shadowclaw." Nova said, voice sounding calm. She felt a wave of nausea, like the one she had earlier.
"Do you Alpha accept her oath?"
"I accept her oath and acknowledge her claim. Let the ancestors witness it." Fin said. He sounded slightly strained but cleared his throat to play it off.
The stone pulsed white.
Nova and Fin both were able to remove their hands. Just like last time, they both pulled their hands off much too forcefully.
The stone slowly—deliberately—settled to solid gold, not returning to obsidian.
The air shifted.
"Place your hand within the flame." Aeron instructed, his voice thick with reverence. "Let the fire speak its judgment."
With a composed expression, Nova stepped forward, her every movement graceful. She extended her arm, reached into the basin—and placed her hand into the flame.
For a breathless second, nothing happened.
All the torches roared to life at the same time. Golden light flooded the ceremony hall. Then, they all extinguished so it was pitch dark.
Silence.
Then, a blinding torrent of gold shot to the ceiling, so bright it lit the entire room.
The eruption knocked everyone standing off balance—gasps, stumbles, shouts. Three long vibrations followed, light surging with each. It rattled the walls, the floor, and everyone standing. With each pulse came a booming resonance, like the ancient heartbeat of something sacred.
And Nova—Nova glowed blinding gold.
Beautiful. Like she was the Moon Goddess herself.
Even Jax stumbled backward. Cael and Elle exchanged stunned glances, eyes wide. The fire burned brighter than it ever had, almost blinding. It made her Gamma ceremony look like a warm up.
No one had seen anything like it. Not even in stories.
Fin's eyes never left her.
And then—something new.
He heard them. The whispers.
All around him, voices layered over each other. Ethereal. Powerful. Ancient. His breath caught.
He turned his thoughts inward, instinctively reaching for Xeon.
Xeon: Seraphine is channeling what Nova hears to you. She feels it's important but doesn't remember why.