"The sa way people change, that’s the sa way words do. Which is why we must swear this promise today, and let the heavens bear witness," Asher declared, firmly.
Violet didn’t know what she had done to deserve this level of dedication from her n—and they weren’t even fully mated yet. Honestly, she didn’t need them swearing anything. But once Asher made up his mind, there was no turning back. And besides, the others had already agreed.
All four of the Cardinal Alphas stood facing each other. Asher was the first to lift his hand and a single claw erupted from his finger. Without hesitation, he used it to slice open his palm and blood began to drip from the wound.
Understanding the mission, Griffin followed after Asher, slicing his palm without hesitation. Alaric and Roman did the sa, their blood dripping in crimson rivulets onto the floor.
With his bloodied hand raised, Asher turned to face Violet fully. His expression was intense and unwavering.
"In the na of the Moon Goddess, who bore witness to our ancestors and the first pack’s rise," Asher declared, his voice solemn and sure, "I, Asher Nightshade of the West pack, swear this oath."
One by one, the others followed suit:
"In the na of the Moon Goddess, who bore witness to our ancestors and the first pack’s rise. I, Griffin Hale of the East pack, swear this oath."
"In the na of the Moon Goddess, who bore witness to our ancestors and the first pack’s rise. I, Roman Draven of the South pack, swear this oath."
"In the na of the Moon Goddess, who bore witness to our ancestors and the first pack’s rise. I, Alaric Storm of the North pack, swear this oath."
Then, in unison, they recited after Asher:
"I swear I will never raise arms, plots, or ambition against Violet Purple for the throne. Whether crown or command, I choose her. If she rises, I rise with her. If she falls, I fall beside her. But I will never be the hand that brings her down. If I fail, let the goddess deal accordingly with ."
As soon as the words left their mouths, they stepped forward and pressed their bleeding palms together, stacking them one on top of another.
"Let our blood bear witness."
A mont later, thunder cracked through the house like the heavens answering back. The walls trembled and Violet jolted. The Alphas were startled by the suddenness too.
"Did you do that?" Roman asked Alaric, narrowing his eyes.
"That wasn’t ," Alaric replied flatly.
But Roman wasn’t convinced.
Before another word could be said, Violet gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
"Guys, look," Griffin said, pointing to the floor.
They all followed his gaze just in ti to see their spilled blood vanish. More like, it was absorbed into the ground as if the earth itself drank it. When they looked back at their hands, the wounds were gone, and their skin flawless and neat. There was not even a sar of blood.
A heavy stillness fell upon them, while goosebumps broke out across their skin.
Even Asher who had planned this hadn’t expected that. He had hoped their oath would an sothing serious, but this felt sacred.
"I guess this ans Momma Goddess just said yes," Roman said, breaking the silence with a low whistle.
The alphas stepped apart and returned to their previous seats.
"Although," Roman added, settling in with a mischievous grin, "she might also want to answer when she plans to bond us too. I’d love to have lots of snu-snu in the na of a mating fever."
He winked at Griffin, who rolled his eyes in exasperation.
Roman could be insufferable sotis.
"Roman’s not wrong though," Alaric said. "If we can figure out what triggered the mate bond between Griffin and Violet, maybe we can find a way to quicken the process..."
...and finally have sex with her without risking death.
Alaric didn’t say that part out loud, but it wasn’t hard to guess what he was thinking. They were horny wolves, after all.
Asher only raised a brow, but Alaric and Roman had already zeroed in on Griffin. Roman even went over to their seat, forcing them to make space so he could squeeze in.
"Tell us, Griffin," Roman said, "how did the mate bond happen?"
"You already know that," Griffin replied.
"He ans to say," Alaric clarified, "how did it feel right before the mate bond hit you? What emotions were you feeling then? Maybe that’s the key to triggering the bond. Followed by the action, of course."
Griffin tilted his head, thinking, while both Alaric and Roman watched him with rapt attention.
"When Violet left with that bastard—"
"I didn’t leave with him," Violet cut in. "At least not intentionally. I was only trying to find a way out of there. For all of us."
"Which was pretty stupid."
"But effective. You did let the Beast out, didn’t you?" she fired back, leaving Griffin montarily speechless.
"Can we go back to unlocking the bond, please?" Roman said, hands up. "So of us are desperate here. You two can argue later."
Griffin finally confessed. "I felt helpless. Like they took away what should be mine..." His brows furrowed as he pieced it together. "I couldn’t let that stand. I had to do sothing. I felt this great anger and red was all I could see as the Beast took over. I had this burning desire to find Violet and protect her.... " He looked at her as he said it. "And I did find her. I did protect her."
For a mont, there was silence. Violet and Griffin just stared at each other, their bond shining through.
"So..." Roman broke the mont, "all we have to do is throw ourselves in danger for Violet and bam! Mate bond activated?"
"Or maybe," Alaric mused, "it’s about proving yourself to the goddess."
Roman nodded, proud. "I knew being your mate would be a full-ti job. I’m ga."
At that mont, Asher suddenly shot to his feet, frowning as he stared down at his phone.
"You have got to be kidding ...!"
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