Chapter 11: The Ceremony of the Moon

The messenger from the Black Fang Pack had barely left the castle when the royal council erupted into debate.

'We should strike first,' one general insisted.

'No,' another argued. 'The capital's defenses are stronger than theirs.'

'If we wait any longer, they'll surround the city.'

Voices filled the throne room until Aero slowly rose from his seat.

Instantly, silence returned.

'No one leaves the castle,' he said firmly.

'We defend our people.'

'We do not sacrifice them.'

No one dared challenge his decision.

The meeting ended moments later.

As the nobles departed, Serena remained standing near one of the marble pillars.

She had heard every word.

And every argument pointed toward the same conclusion.

She was the reason an army stood outside the kingdom.

'This is my fault,' she whispered.

'No.'

She turned to find Aero standing behind her.

'If I hadn't come here...'

'Someone else would have found another reason to start a war.'

'You don't know that.'

'I do.'

His voice remained calm.

'Kings don't create conflict.'

'They inherit it.'

Serena lowered her eyes.

'People could die because of me.'

'People are alive because you're here.'

'What does that mean?'

'Darius could have attacked without warning.'

'Instead, he offered negotiations first.'

'That gives us time.'

She wasn't completely convinced.

But hearing him speak with such certainty made her breathing steady once again.

Later that afternoon, Lily helped Serena prepare for the ceremony.

The white ceremonial gown rested across the bed.

Silver embroidery shimmered like moonlight across the sleeves.

'It's beautiful,' Serena admitted quietly.

'The royal tailors worked through the entire night,' Lily said proudly.

'I almost feel guilty wearing it.'

'Why?'

'Because none of this is real.'

Lily gently adjusted the dress.

'Maybe the ceremony isn't.'

'But the protection it offers is.'

Serena looked at her reflection.

For a moment, she barely recognized herself.

The woman staring back looked like she belonged in this world.

That thought frightened her more than anything else.

'You look breathtaking,' Lily whispered.

'I look confused.'

'That too.'

Both women laughed softly.

Across the castle, Aero stood inside the royal armory.

Instead of ceremonial robes, he quietly fastened his sword belt.

Magnus entered carrying a polished silver cloak.

'You're wearing armor beneath your robes?'

'Yes.'

'Expecting trouble?'

'Always.'

Magnus handed him the cloak.

'I've never seen you nervous before.'

'I'm not nervous.'

'No?'

'I'm cautious.'

'There's a difference.'

Magnus smiled faintly.

'Only you would say that on your wedding day.'

'It's not a wedding.'

'Right.'

'A ceremonial political obligation.'

'That sounds even less romantic.'

For the first time all morning, Aero almost smiled.

'Don't tell anyone.'

'Too late.'

As sunset approached, the royal temple slowly filled with nobles and warriors.

Unlike the grand halls of the palace, the temple felt peaceful.

Moonlight poured through enormous crystal windows.

Ancient wolf carvings lined the circular walls.

At the center stood a silver altar glowing with faint blue light.

Serena entered first beside Lily.

Every conversation inside the temple immediately stopped.

Dozens of eyes turned toward her.

She instinctively slowed her steps.

'Breathe,' Lily whispered.

'You're doing fine.'

Moments later, the large doors opened once again.

Aero entered wearing formal royal robes trimmed with silver.

Although dressed for ceremony, the sword hanging at his side reminded everyone that he remained a warrior first.

Their eyes met across the temple.

Neither smiled.

Neither looked away.

Rowan stepped forward.

'According to the Ancient Laws of the Moon Kingdom,' he began.

'Tonight we witness a sacred bond.'

'Not born from romance.'

'Not born from ambition.'

'But born from duty.'

The temple became completely silent.

Rowan turned toward Serena.

'Do you accept the Alpha King's protection until the prophecy reaches its end?'

Serena hesitated.

She looked toward Aero.

He didn't pressure her.

He simply waited.

'...I accept,' she answered softly.

Rowan then faced Aero.

'Do you swear to protect the chosen one with your life, regardless of the cost?'

'I swear,' Aero answered without hesitation.

Rowan raised an ancient silver medallion toward the moonlight.

'Then let the Moon Goddess witness this covenant.'

A beam of silver light suddenly poured through the crystal ceiling.

The entire temple glowed.

Gasps echoed among the nobles.

'That's impossible...'

'The Moon Blessing...'

'It hasn't appeared in centuries...'

The light surrounded both Serena and Aero.

Before either of them could react, a glowing silver mark appeared on the inside of both their wrists.

It resembled a crescent moon surrounded by delicate runes.

'Rowan...'

Magnus stared in disbelief.

'What just happened?'

The elderly advisor looked equally shocked.

'The ceremony wasn't supposed to create a Soul Mark.'

'A what?' Serena asked.

Rowan swallowed slowly.

'A Soul Mark only appears...'

'...between two people acknowledged by the Moon Goddess herself.'

The temple fell into stunned silence.

Aero looked down at the glowing mark on his wrist.

Then at Serena's matching mark.

Neither of them had expected this.

Neither of them understood it.

Outside the capital, beneath the darkness of the surrounding forest...

A cloaked figure watched the temple's silver light rise into the night sky.

Hidden beneath the hood, a faint smile appeared.

'So... the bond has awakened after all.'

The mysterious figure quietly disappeared into the shadows.

Completely unaware...

Neither Aero nor Serena realized that someone else had been waiting for this moment for many years.