Before I could process my movements, I stopped right in front of the path carved just for them. I wasn’t the only one. The entire village began to gather around it, wanting to get a peak of the marvelous display that would shortly follow.
Placing the chests on the ground at the beginning of the path, Kellan, Ivara, and Barret looked to their leader, the only one entrusted with the key. Ryker knelt in front of them and removing the key from the chain that hung over his neck, he unlocked the first chest.
The second the lid fell back, and the beaming sun hit its contents, an aura of radiance burst from the chest, bathing Ryker and the nearby area in the most breathtaking golden light. His eyes found me then, and he smiled at me, looking so handsome that I thought my wolf might burst with heat for him. Not that I would know, I had no idea what it felt like to be in heat yet; I wouldn’t be able to experience it until after I shifted into my wolf.
My cheeks blushed slightly as I attempted to battle the feeling, but he caught my reaction, and a satisfied grin took over his mouth.
“You are so lucky!” Willa whispered next to me without an ounce of ill will or envy, gripping my arm excitedly as she looked at my future mate.
I was certain she wasn’t the only young she-wolf in the pack who felt the same way. Mating withtheBeta of the pack, the absolute favorite of our Alpha was the highest feat any of our females could ever achieve, and Ryker had chosen me.
The anxiety returned but I smiled at her, grateful for her sentiment, and focused on the magical stones once more. Thankfully, Ryker’s attention returned to the task at hand, and he proceeded to open the two remaining chests.
Rainbows reflected off the swaying lights emanating from the boxes, and when the Hunters turned them on their side, spreading the crystals all along the carved area, they almost appeared to sing. Their delicate clink, clink, clinks, rose in the air while they fell over each other and rolled off, filling the ceremonial walkway to its brim.
Awestruck by the mystical sight, I began walking closer, leaving everyone else behind and pausing only a couple of feet from the entrance. Finally free, the magic in the stones ignited, swaying gold flames rising from them to create a walkway of destiny.
Tears rushed to my eyes with happiness, it was truly a sight to behold. I had waited for this moment for so long.
All I needed to do now was cross the ancient fire and get to the other side without being burned—only the true, deserving descendants of our mystical race could cross without harm. Once I began, the magic flames would search my spirit and rise, encompassing my body to release the truth within, until I arrived at the other end of the path a full, she-wolf.
I couldn’t wait for tomorrow to arrive. I’d been waiting what seemed like forever for my life to finally begin…
Except, you will no longer be joining the Hunters or be part of the human world.My mind reminded me, tainting the joy coursing through me.
Without thinking, I took one last step forward. Murmurs rose behind me when the sole of my bare foot landed on the swaying flames, and they danced along my toes like playful children, the crystals briefly shifting under my weight.
Suddenly, the fire began to lick my skin, doing something I had never witnessed. Red embers wildly sparked off the golden flames, and they surged, leaping onto my ankle. A loud gasp erupted from my lips the next instant, as I watched the flames turn blue.
Strong arms yanked me out of the fire, cradling me in their protective embrace. “Are you okay?” Ryker, asked, piercing my eyes with his equally concerned and angered gaze.
“I, um… I’m okay,” I answered, trying to calm my racing heart. My gaze curiously fell to the pathway, to find that the blue flames were gone from the crystals, leaving only gold in their wake.
The change had been so sudden, so brief… Had I imagined that?
“Did it burn you?” he asked urgently, and I blinked, glancing down at my foot to find only smooth skin.
When my gaze returned to him, confusion captured my mind. “Why would it burn me? I am the niece of the Alpha.”
“Did it burn you?!” Ryker barked, demanding a straight answer to his question.
“No… I’m fine.”
His anger instantly vanished, a sigh expanding his chest and dropping his shoulders in relief.
Still, I didn’t understand his reaction. “Why did you think the fire would?—?”
His lips crashed onto mine, claiming me as his, and my wolf gave in to him, relinquishing our power to him.
“What the hell were you thinking?” he whisper-growled, his mouth still against my lips.
“Ryker, stop. I didn’t?—”
“Damn it, Natasha!”
“Sorry, I just wanted to feel it…” I replied, glancing back at him, and saving myself the trouble. I knew how these argumentsended, whatever my reasons, I would always need to submit to the Beta.
“Just wait until tomorrow,” Ryker chided, glancing beyond me toward the horizon, until a fading orange light seemed to illuminate his dark eyes. His mouth lifted into a new smile. “Are you ready?”
